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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Sandman on September 02, 2004, 12:39:09 PM

Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Sandman on September 02, 2004, 12:39:09 PM
Interesting article:

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996341
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Boroda on September 02, 2004, 12:52:26 PM
A 1000 years old alien Tampax commercial?...

Funny: my eye stumbled on this phrase, starting from a new line: "1.5 hertz per second.". Usually I stop reading any article where I see "hertz per second" or "knot per hour" immediately. Fortunately I saw the begining, the whole sentence is "...a signal with a drift of about 1.5 hertz per second." :D
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Gyro/T69 on September 02, 2004, 12:56:48 PM
Jody Foster's dead father? :)
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 01:02:49 PM
Beat me to it.  Get the lube ready!

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/09/02/space.signals.reut/index.html
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: OneWordAnswer on September 02, 2004, 01:03:43 PM
fishy.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 01:31:43 PM
The SETI BBS is totally swamped - wont even load for me.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: BlueJ1 on September 02, 2004, 01:34:51 PM
Question? IF it is a alien civilization. How much communication can exist between the 2 worlds by sending radio waves ?
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 01:38:12 PM
I would guess basically nill... the time/distance involved would negate any 'conversation.'

They are saying this signal is about 1000ly away?  Thats means that if the signal is found to be artificial, the civilization that might have produced it could already be long gone.

However... in the galactic scheme of things, this signal is coming from 'right next door.'
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: BlueJ1 on September 02, 2004, 01:42:54 PM
So im guessing that IF it was a civilization, and IF we did communicate a few times. That POSSIBLY that civilization would share knowledge of a better form, or the science community would have an explosion of funding and make our own way of speaking with the ETs.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: BlueJ1 on September 02, 2004, 01:45:07 PM
Another thought, maybe Rooks could pick up some info from other worlds on their orbit to a Bishop or Knight base.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Skuzzy on September 02, 2004, 01:45:56 PM
You did not catch that Bluej.

Say the planet is 1000 light years away, for the sake of discussion.

1,000 years ago, the signal we are hearing today was sent.  So if WE respond, it will be another 1,000 years before they hear it.  2,000 years would have lapsed from the first transmission to the acknowledement of the message.
2,000 years will also pass here, before we know if they heard our response.

Who is going to be here in 2,000 years?
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: BlueJ1 on September 02, 2004, 01:48:10 PM
The HTC empire that controls the world. muhahahaha

I did catch that. I was just basing all my ideas on big IFs.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on September 02, 2004, 01:48:34 PM
So, if we attach a message to a courier pigeon - how long before they recieve it?
-SW
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: SunTracker on September 02, 2004, 02:05:53 PM
Definitely not an alien civilization.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 02:10:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SunTracker
Definitely not an alien civilization.


Although SETI is actively trying to downplay the find, not even they have said that.  Why do you think so?
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on September 02, 2004, 02:20:12 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Saurdaukar
Why do you think so?


Bush is Hitler?
-SW
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: SunTracker on September 02, 2004, 02:22:08 PM
If its coming from a planet, the planet is spinning 40x as fast as the earth.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 02:27:55 PM
Quote
Originally posted by AKS\/\/ulfe
Bush is Hitler?
-SW


I see where youre going with this...

Bush is responsible for this signal... we stumbled upon a radio transmission that appears to be roughly 60 years old and we cant figure out what it is because when we plug it into the TV, its all distorted and ****, right?

Then, we pan out and discover that its actually Hitler making a speech!  (we know this because the Swastika is visable first - upside down, mind you).

So if Bush is Hitler, that means that he sent the signal from some planetary system... we'll just call it Vega for the moment... in order to brainwash Americans into accepting National Socialism!

But wait... it appears that the signal actualy originated from Earth, was then magnified and sent back... that means that Bush, who is Hitler, is actually in cahoots with the Aliens - who are ALSO Nazis!

Mein got, man!  This is heavy!  A vote for Bush is a vote for intergalactic National Socialism!

Somone call that guy from Ed TV pronto... no, not Woody, the other one.  I think he knows someone who might be able to figure all this out.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Nilsen on September 02, 2004, 02:29:03 PM
Could just be someone out to get more funding.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 02:29:21 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SunTracker
If its coming from a planet, the planet is spinning 40x as fast as the earth.


And that automatically discounts the possibility that the signal is artificial?

Who says its coming from a planet anyway?

Couldnt a spinning satelite pull the same trick?
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Gh0stFT on September 02, 2004, 02:43:41 PM
If this is really an E.T. Signal, imagine, they had Radios 1000 years ago ! what do they have today??!???
I tell you, they are soon™ here to get us all ****** !!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol


edit: NO PANIK, they dont know we are here, because we sending
radio signals since 50-60 years? only, i doubt our signal hit the 1000 ly barrier ;)
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: SunTracker on September 02, 2004, 02:45:12 PM
When we recieve a signal that has intelligent data in it, then we will have found life.  This is not it.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on September 02, 2004, 02:47:00 PM
Whats intelligent data? We'd be able to decypher it?

You sure jumped the gun on this one SunTracker, they have only begun to scratch the surface of what this signal could possibly be.
-SW
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: 1K0N on September 02, 2004, 02:51:02 PM
officials at Seti just recently today deciphered the transmissions.
 The Aliens prefer Bush for president!!
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: JB73 on September 02, 2004, 03:14:50 PM
Skuzzy, does radio waves travel at the speed of light?

i thought 1000 light years was like 100,000's of our "years"

i could be all messed up about that though.


if it is alien... why you think they would develop along the same lines as us, AND develop the same technology???

come on all you evolutionists here... even that is 100,000 trilion to 1
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: AKS\/\/ulfe on September 02, 2004, 03:17:02 PM
Not really, celestial bodies transmit radio waves.
-SW
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Skuzzy on September 02, 2004, 03:19:33 PM
Radio waves travel at the speed of light.

It is not to hard to imagine why radio waves would be used in some form by an intelligent life.  It is a basic component of what is emitted from various sources throughout the Universe.
If you want to get a handle on what is 'out there', a basic understanding of radio waves is very helpful.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: midnight Target on September 02, 2004, 03:26:35 PM
Quote
Originally posted by JB73
Skuzzy, does radio waves travel at the speed of light?

i thought 1000 light years was like 100,000's of our "years"

i could be all messed up about that though.


if it is alien... why you think they would develop along the same lines as us, AND develop the same technology???

come on all you evolutionists here... even that is 100,000 trilion to 1


Radio waves and visible light are just different forms of the same thing.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: CyranoAH on September 02, 2004, 03:37:42 PM
Actually radio waves are a bit slower than photons. Not that it matters much in this scenario.

I can foresee the message that will be received in the distant future from that civilization:

"Thank you for contacting the Vega Civilization. If you want to talk to our scientific community, please press 1. If you want to declare a war, press 2. If you just want casual intergallactical conversation, please hold on..."

Daniel
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Nilsen on September 02, 2004, 03:40:48 PM
:lol  Daniel

And the delay wont be any worse than Dell support either!
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 03:46:25 PM
Pfft - Dell already sells computers on Vega III.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: SLO on September 02, 2004, 03:47:13 PM
question.....

1 - If the aliens are younger then us, no communication possible.

2 - If Aliens same as us, too much distance & time too communicate.

3 - If Aliens are much smarter(or older as civilization) maybe they can teach us some form of faster communication, or they're actually here, right now and just don't want to be seen, hey maybe we are ginny pigs to their experiments.

the use of LASER's will come into account when we decide too communicate over long distances
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Nilsen on September 02, 2004, 03:52:29 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Saurdaukar
Pfft - Dell already sells computers on Vega III.


Aha.. so thats why the guys on support already speak Vegan if you ask them anything.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 03:58:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Nilsen
Aha.. so thats why the guys on support already speak Vegan if you ask them anything.


Yup.


They even have a Vegan version of AH (theyve been watching, you know).

"WWII Atmosphereic Earth Flight Simulator" or some such ****... dunno.. been awhile since Ive seen them and the probing was painful last time.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Gh0stFT on September 02, 2004, 04:03:05 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Skuzzy
Radio waves travel at the speed of light.

It is not to hard to imagine why radio waves would be used in some form by an intelligent life.  It is a basic component of what is emitted from various sources throughout the Universe.
If you want to get a handle on what is 'out there', a basic understanding of radio waves is very helpful.


Since we are sending radio waves, since when 1950 or 1960?,
our signals traveled maximal 60 lightyears. We still have 940 years to go for this special star between the constellations Pisces and Aries ;)
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Nilsen on September 02, 2004, 04:23:03 PM
IF they sent radio signals a 1000 years ago then they may have the technology to come here by now then perhaps..... and maybe they have been here!!

i better borrow my moms glasses and run outside to look for them!!

:cool:
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Coolridr on September 02, 2004, 04:24:41 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Gh0stFT
Since we are sending radio waves, since when 1950 or 1960?,
our signals traveled maximal 60 lightyears. We still have 940 years to go for this special star between the constellations Pisces and Aries ;)


We've been broadcasting sice earlier than that. Radio since the turn of the 20th century...Television RF waves since the late 40's
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: lasersailor184 on September 02, 2004, 04:34:42 PM
BlueJ, a lightyear is not a time, it's a distance.

A light year is the distance light can travel in a year.  Consider that it takes light from the sun to travel 93 million miles to us in 8 minutes.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: cpxxx on September 02, 2004, 05:08:29 PM
I have Seti@home software on my PC. 3810 hours according to the latest figures. Could it have been my PC that discovered an extraterrestial civilisation? If it was it would be only useful thing the blasted machine ever did.

Having said that I doubt if some civilisation is out there transmitting something hoping it's picked up by some distant aliens. More likely it's the equivalent of junk TV or whatever. Although it is interesting to think that everything I ever said on VHF  radio is somewhere out there in space.  Perhaps one day aliens will land wanting to speak to 'Charlie Uniform'  or 'Victor Whiskey'. :D
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Gh0stFT on September 02, 2004, 05:15:35 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Coolridr
We've been broadcasting sice earlier than that. Radio since the turn of the 20th century...Television RF waves since the late 40's


ok then, make it plus 20 year more or so but what does this change
compared to the 1000 lightyears LOL ;)
we maybe end up 100 ly maximum at sending our ET broadcast.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Coolridr on September 02, 2004, 05:25:57 PM
Quote
Originally posted by cpxxx
I have Seti@home software on my PC. 3810 hours according to the latest figures. Could it have been my PC that discovered an extraterrestial civilisation? If it was it would be only useful thing the blasted machine ever did.

Having said that I doubt if some civilisation is out there transmitting something hoping it's picked up by some distant aliens. More likely it's the equivalent of junk TV or whatever. Although it is interesting to think that everything I ever said on VHF  radio is somewhere out there in space.  Perhaps one day aliens will land wanting to speak to 'Charlie Uniform'  or 'Victor Whiskey'. :D


I've been trying to download SETI@home for some time now..thought I'd help out..but after registering I got to the download page and can't get the download to start. Like their servers are down or something.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Chairboy on September 02, 2004, 05:26:09 PM
Quote
Originally posted by cpxxx
I have Seti@home software on my PC. 3810 hours according to the latest figures. Could it have been my PC that discovered an extraterrestial civilisation? If it was it would be only useful thing the blasted machine ever did.


Interesting, I've had Seti@Home running for 98,325 hours.  Slacker.  :D  

User: Chairboy (Super Karate Monkey Death Car!)
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Saurdaukar on September 02, 2004, 05:30:26 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Coolridr
I've been trying to download SETI@home for some time now..thought I'd help out..but after registering I got to the download page and can't get the download to start. Like their servers are down or something.


Probably overloaded.  I didnt even know this program existed.

Ill end up DLing it.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: cpxxx on September 02, 2004, 06:00:28 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Chairboy
Interesting, I've had Seti@Home running for 98,325 hours.  Slacker.  :D  

User: Chairboy (Super Karate Monkey Death Car!)


Hmm 98 325 hours, that's 4096,875 days or 11 years. So you downloaded the thing in 1993?  Care to explain that? Considering Seti@home only started in 1998?  Are you an alien who had access to future technology way back in 1993?  I think the men in black may be paying you a visit sometime soon.:aok

Joking aside I have seen that on a few PC's Must be a glitch on the software.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Coolridr on September 02, 2004, 06:04:29 PM
Does anyone have the installation file they can e-mail me....the old SETI@home download is incomplete and the server for the BOINC version is timing out:mad:
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: vorticon on September 02, 2004, 06:23:15 PM
oooh their using the hydrogen channel, just like in a niven novel...im so impressed...

their cat-like being hell bent on destroying human civilization, everyone run to lazs's house for protection!!!
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: RTStuka on September 02, 2004, 07:45:37 PM
Quote
Originally posted by AKS\/\/ulfe
So, if we attach a message to a courier pigeon - how long before they recieve it?
-SW



I think a swallow would work better, preferably an african swallow, I remember a documentary where they dissucssed how fast they could travel.
As for the signal, im thinking its whoever is up there on the space station ***** with us. I mean think about it, how bored would you be up there, they are all very intelligant people. Im sure they are just up there going. "Hey wanna have some fun, lets send fake alien signals too earth":aok
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Gunslinger on September 02, 2004, 07:57:38 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Skuzzy
Radio waves travel at the speed of light.

It is not to hard to imagine why radio waves would be used in some form by an intelligent life.  It is a basic component of what is emitted from various sources throughout the Universe.
If you want to get a handle on what is 'out there', a basic understanding of radio waves is very helpful.


the great skuzzmeister is correct here RF in space travels at the speed of light.

However, it is much different when transmitting on earth.  Here on tera firma we have to take into account "atmospheric ionization"  while it doesnt effect the speed all that much it will help with distance reception and signal strength.  This is especially true when you are not using line of sight and actually bouncing signals off the atmospher.

This is mainly how a RADAR works.  RF waves are transmitted and timed on how long it took them to bounce back.  Add a known azimuth to that and you have a basic RADAR.

A civilization a thousand light years away transmitting a signal has a good chance of not even being there anymore by the time we recieve it.  

Who knows this could be Alien Spam offering us bigger noodlees, lower mortgage rates, and the ability to spy on anyone.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Gunslinger on September 02, 2004, 08:01:59 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SLO


the use of LASER's will come into account when we decide too communicate over long distances


I'm not sure how this will be more or less effecient than good ole RF considering the speed of light is a constant and lasers would have the same "speed limits".

The only difference I could see on further thaught would be less effect by cosmic radiation causing interference.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: BlueJ1 on September 02, 2004, 08:10:54 PM
lasersailor, I already knew that. I think you confused me with another poster.

      If another civilization recieves the signals from 60 years ago, it must make us look pretty bad. World War, Mass Genocide, On the edge of nuclear war. If the civilization is more advanced then us, I imagine they are receiving these signals with much interest, almost like the earth is a giant soap opera (yawn). Or we all could be on a reality tv show hosted by the E.T.s. (South Park) And a taco that poops ice cream is the porducer that can eliminate the world with a push of a button.
Title: SETI on to something?
Post by: Chairboy on September 02, 2004, 08:28:53 PM
Quote
Originally posted by cpxxx
Hmm 98 325 hours, that's 4096,875 days or 11 years. So you downloaded the thing in 1993?  Care to explain that? Considering Seti@home only started in 1998?  Are you an alien who had access to future technology way back in 1993?  I think the men in black may be paying you a visit sometime soon.:aok

Joking aside I have seen that on a few PC's Must be a glitch on the software.


Not a glitch, I've run it on multiple computers at times.  On occasion, I installed it on every computer in my lab.  It's measuring the number of 'computer hours', not absolute time that has passed since install.

To simplify, if it's on two computers and one hour passes, you have just accumulated 2 hours of testing.