Astronomers around the world are abuzz with anticipation as they await a potential response to a burst of radio signals sent into the cosmos 40 years ago. The message, transmitted from Stanford University in the US on August 15, 1983, featured 13 drawings depicting the history of life on Earth, human appearance, and other information. This intriguing endeavor is part of the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
Led by Shinya Narusawa at the University of Hyogo, a team of astronomers is gearing up to deploy a 64-meter diameter antenna in Saku, Nagano Prefecture. Their goal is to capture any potential radio signals in response to the message sent in 1983. The target of their attention is Altair, a star located 16.7 light years away from Earth within the Aquila constellation. This star is the 12th brightest object in our night sky.
Altair has captured astronomers' interest due to its potential to host exoplanets capable of sustaining life. The discovery of numerous exoplanets since the 1990s has ignited optimism about the existence of intelligent life beyond Earth. "A large number of exoplanets have been detected since the 1990s. Altair may have a planet whose environment can sustain life," Mr. Narusawa explained to Asahi Shimbun.
On August 22, astronomers plan to use Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) antenna in Saku to scan the skies for any potential response. This date holds symbolic significance in Japan as it coincides with Tanabata, also known as the 'star festival.' The event is usually celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month, but due to the lunar calendar, it falls on August 22 this year.
The roots of this pursuit trace back to Professor Masaki Morimoto, a pioneering figure in the SETI field. In 1983, he sent the "Hello, is anybody there?" message, sparking conversations about the possibility of communicating with extraterrestrial beings. Although Professor Morimoto passed away in 2010, his legacy lives on through the ongoing efforts of scientists like Mr. Narusawa.
While the anticipation is palpable, astronomers remain cautiously optimistic about the likelihood of receiving a response. The quest to discover intelligent life beyond Earth is a testament to humanity's insatiable curiosity about the cosmos and our place within it. As technology advances and our understanding of the universe deepens, the question of whether we are alone in the cosmos continues to captivate minds worldwide.
