Advanced Apathy

Where ever we’re from, whatever we do, everyone has at some point thought about aliens.

Now I’m not talking about sci-fi fans who are absorbed with the subject (me), I’m speaking of the public. At some point, everyone has considered the possibility of there being intelligent life on other planets. Not taking into account the spiritual implications of extraterrestrial life, it is an interesting topic.

But what would happen? We don’t know how they would communicate, or how they may think. One thing we do know, however, is what they would be exposed to as they came to earth. Based on the research I have done (google and wikipedia are the researchers best friends) I have made a rough time line of what aliens will see while on approach to Earth.

1) On July 15th, 1972 we sent a ship called Pioneer 10 into deep space. This ship’s main purpose was exploration, but it also contained a Plaque which described out coordinates in space, and how to find us. It also included a depiction of the male and female form, along with a picture of the spacecraft.

2) Assuming we have sent it in the right direction, the second thing aliens would see of Earth is Voyager 1. On September 5th, 1977 we launched Voyager into space with the intention of helping us explore the universe, as well as making friendly contact with any aliens there may be. On the space craft is a Golden Record which contains many sounds and music of Earth. Eventually they may find Voyager 2, which has similar properties.

3) When possible to do so, aliens would then focus telescope-like devices and see Earth. Unlike the full picture of earth we see, they would only be able to see part because of the shadowing effect of other planetary bodies, and the Earths rotation-relationship with the Sun.

Earth from space

4) After having ascertained our position, they would then focus on trying to pick up signals from us. Assuming we are focusing them in the right direction, they would pick up SETI’s signals we are sending into the void. They consist mostly of simple mathematical things like prime numbers and messages in binary.

5) Once they enter the solar system, they will most likely scan the planets (which Pluto is no longer one) and find our mars rover, then satellites leaving the solar system, then our stuff on the moon.

6) At this point, they will be close enough to pick up our earth bound trasnmissions. Because of how reliant the internet is on satellites, aliens will easily be able to intercept huge amounts of information. With their no-doubt faster processors, they will very likely be able to interpret and understand our languages before setting foot on earth.

Aside from the inevitable takeover of the Earth, thats about it. No doubt Steven Hawking was right when he said that we shouldnt be sending any messages into space, as it will no doubt cause nothing but problems. So there you have it, the path aliens would take. If you have a differing idea of what it might entail, or anything to say, go ahead and leave a comment below.

-Trenton Stahl

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.