A Journey Through Cosmic Communication: Letters to Aliens
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Chapter 1: The Cosmic Message
The recent findings from the samples retrieved from the asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa 2 spacecraft are pivotal in understanding the origins of life in the cosmos. These discoveries hint at the possibility of intelligent beings existing elsewhere in the universe. In light of this, astronomers have begun sending messages into the vastness of space.
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has made significant announcements regarding the analysis of these asteroid samples. The exploration conducted by Hayabusa 2 has revealed that essential life-forming materials, including water and carbon, have been present in our solar system since its inception.
We delve into the remarkable history of how humanity has attempted to reach out to potential extraterrestrial life.
Section 1.1: A Cinematic Encounter
In Steven Spielberg's iconic 1978 film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," the depiction of human interactions with aliens was notably warm and friendly. This film marked a departure from earlier portrayals, which often depicted extraterrestrial beings as hostile invaders, as seen in H.G. Wells's "The War of the Worlds" from 1898. Over time, societal views towards aliens appear to have shifted from fear to acceptance, particularly during the 1970s.
During this transformative decade, the first human message to extraterrestrial life was launched into space—an endeavor that began with the Pioneer 10 spacecraft.
Section 1.2: The Pioneer 10 Mission
On March 2, 1972, Pioneer 10 was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. After successfully passing Jupiter in 1973, it began its long journey out of the solar system, currently traveling towards Aldebaran in the Taurus constellation. On January 22, 2003, after over three decades, Pioneer 10 sent its final transmission back to Earth.
Pioneer 10 was not solely focused on exploration; it was also tasked with sending a message to any potential extraterrestrial recipients. However, this message had no specific destination. The intention was akin to casting a bottle into the ocean, hoping someone would find it.
A significant question arose: What language should this message be written in? Should it be in English, or a universal language like Esperanto?
Dr. Carl Sagan and Dr. Frank Drake, who conceptualized the message, collaborated with Sagan's wife, artist Linda Saltzman Sagan, to design what is now known as the Pioneer plaque.
Subsection 1.2.1: The Pioneer Plaque
The plaque contains no written language, as it was believed that aliens would not be familiar with human writing. Interestingly, the 1964 Tokyo Olympics may have influenced its design. The plaque is a gilded metal plate, measuring 9 inches by 6 inches, crafted from anodized aluminum.
Prominently displayed are the images of a naked man and woman, alongside an illustration of the Pioneer 10 spacecraft. This visual communication serves to indicate the existence and physical form of humans. The man's raised hand symbolizes not just the ability to gesture but also a sign of goodwill towards potential alien life.
To establish a common understanding, the plaque features diagrams representing fundamental physical concepts, such as the hydrogen atom, which could serve as universal units of time and space.
Chapter 2: The Legacy of Olympic Design
The 1964 Tokyo Olympics was groundbreaking, not only for being the first Olympics hosted in Asia but also for its influence on design. The event popularized the Helvetica typeface and introduced high-quality pictograms, which have since been widely adopted in international events.
Pictograms were created to facilitate understanding among diverse languages, providing a visual language that transcends barriers. The Pioneer plaque can be considered an extension of this pictorial communication, designed to convey information to extraterrestrial beings.
The continuation of this pictorial legacy was celebrated at the recent Tokyo Olympics, where a performance showcased 50 pictograms, honoring the historical significance of their origin.
This video discusses how NASA sent messages into space, including the Pioneer plaque, and what it says about humanity's desire to connect with extraterrestrial life.
Section 2.1: Voyager Missions and Beyond
On April 6, 1973, Pioneer 11 was launched, following a similar trajectory to Pioneer 10 but in the opposite direction. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were launched in 1977, equipped with the Golden Record—a vinyl record containing sounds of Earth, greetings in 55 languages, and various forms of music, all curated by Dr. Carl Sagan.
The Golden Record is encased in a protective jacket made of materials designed to withstand the test of time, providing a glimpse into Earth's culture for any intelligent beings who may encounter it.
This video decodes the Arecibo message, shedding light on the significance of these attempts to communicate with potential extraterrestrial civilizations.
Section 2.2: The Hayabusa 2 Findings
The Hayabusa 2 mission returned samples from Ryugu, an asteroid that has remained largely unchanged since the formation of our solar system. An analysis published in 2021 revealed that the asteroid's primary component is phyllosilicate, a clay-like substance rich in water and carbon—key elements necessary for life.
These findings suggest that the building blocks of life may have existed in the solar system from the beginning, raising the possibility that intelligent life could exist elsewhere in the universe.
Additionally, the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in December 2021, will further investigate the potential for life in other planetary systems.
One More Thing
For those interested in learning more about the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), I recommend watching this insightful TED talk.
This article was initially published in Japanese.