The star Altair, also known as Alpha Aquila, is located in the constellation and is about 16.8 light-years away from Earth. It resembles the sun, but is at least twice as large and radiates a luminosity twelve times stronger.
Did Altair host planets, especially those suitable for habitation? This remains uncertain, but not excluded.
However, it was on August 15, 1983 that a light-speed transmission of Earthlings was sent, targeting Altair in the hopes of encountering planets.
Two Japanese astronomers from the University of Tokyo, Masaki Morimoto and Hisashi Hirabayashi, known person to their actions in 2008. Under the influence of whiskey, they have gained access to Stanford University’s telescope and sent a radio message into the cosmos, specifically aimed at Altair.
As detailed by the Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, the message, encoded in binary, contained Earth’s coordinates and extensive information about life on our planet.
This included a visually displayed history of its evolution, depicting its emergence from the oceans onto land and eventually evolving into human beings.
After their drunken attempt, the astronomers waited for a response, initially expecting one in 2015. However, there was no response, as it now becomes clear.
Currently, the search continues, with a new generation of astronomers taking the task seriously. Led by Shinya Narusawa of Hyogo University, they point the 64-meter-long antenna of the Usuda Deep Space Center’s radio telescope at Altair, hoping to get a response.
They have determined that listening should begin on August 22, 2023, indicating a proactive approach.
To be sure, skeptics have doubts about the success of this venture: Altair may have no planets at all, suitable habitable planets may be lacking, or intelligent inhabitants may be insufficient—or simply uninterested—to interact with us.
Enthusiasts, including Japanese scientists, remain optimistic.
Not all scientists currently believe that aliens, if they exist at all, should be aware of our existence. Stephen Hawking warned against this idea during his lifetime, suggesting that advanced aliens could pose a threat. His perspective compared this to the historical example of highly developed Europeans exploiting less advanced indigenous populations.
While our first foray in 1983 may have been fueled by alcohol, it remains relevant. What comes of it? Time will tell. Our best hope is to remain optimistic.
But if there is no response, no problem. We can assume that it has yet to cross our path.
