We could discover ETs within two decades, experts say

By Dick Pelletier

      

     Most people alive today may one day witness what could be considered the most amazing event ever in human history – proof that intelligent extraterrestrials exist. New ways of thinking about our place in the universe are unfolding as the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) speeds up.

     Experts estimate there are billions of Earthlike planets in our galaxy alone, and with more than 100 billion other galaxies in the universe, the odds are that we are not alone.

     With powerful new technologies, forward-thinkers believe chances are great that we will make contact with intelligent ETs in the next two decades. The following list describes these technologies:

     Phoenix Mission – After this NASA project landed on Mars, its robotic arm began digging into the permafrost to determine if the right chemistry had ever existed that would support life. Phoenix could become the smoking gun for the evolution of life elsewhere in the universe, experts say.

     Optical SETI – Researchers assume that some alien civilizations will want to open a dialogue with us using laser light, which can carry huge quantities of information. Some projects are already underway and researchers hope to catch a message that says "Hi. We’re here."

     Allen Telescope Array – In 2007, the ATA launched the first of its planned 350 radio dishes to search for signals that suggest the presence of other thinking beings in the cosmos.

     Kepler Mission – By 2009, this high-tech NASA spacecraft will begin searching around 100,000 stars for Earth-like planets with atmospheres and temperatures conducive to intelligent life.

     Murchison Wide-Field Array – Scheduled for 2010, this Harvard-MIT collaboration will search for worlds that are not sending out signals like our SETI. The MWA will eavesdrop on everyday broadcasts that escape into space. They hope to overhear pop culture offerings from alien worlds.

     Darwin Terrestrial Planet Finder – In 2015, this European Space Agency project will use four telescopes to scan the galaxy for worlds that could support intelligent life, analyze their atmospheres; then identify sure signs of ET activities.

     If any of these approaches become successful and we discover intelligent aliens, how might humanity react? We would obviously realize that we are not alone, and this could change our perception of life. Finding other beings would imply that human existence is based purely on science; that we are here only because there were perfect conditions for life to thrive, and there may be billions of other intelligent life forms sharing our universe.

     Could ETs be dangerous? Most experts believe that they will not be aggressive or hostile; they would be so advanced that anything they need could easily be achieved by means other than ravaging our planet.

     However once the news breaks that we will soon be the recipient of futuristic technologies that offer solutions to most of the world’s science and technology problems, it could cause high-tech companies and their products to become obsolete. This could result in the loss of billions of jobs and fuel a disastrous worldwide economic depression.

     Clearly, discovering ETs poses many challenges; some possibly even dangerous. But finding another civilization will give us hope that we can make it too; without blowing ourselves to bits. Go "magical future."

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.