Scientists have offered new hope in the search for alien life by suggesting they could be communicating across the universe using a technique that may be detectable if we change our approach
Advanced alien civilisations could already be talking to each other across space using a “firefly” technique, it has been claimed.
Scientists believe aliens could be communicating with flashing lights, similar to fireflies on Earth, and that finding them could be easier if we change our approach. The experts at Cornell University say the search for aliens is guided by “human centric ideas” of what they may look like.
But they say humans are not the only example of intelligent species communicating on Earth, pointing to fireflies who communicate through light.
As reported by the US Sun, the researchers explained: “For instance, the earliest indicators of technological activity from our planet came from the invention of radio transmission by the human species.
“The significance of our own radio broadcasts, and the fact that radio can be transmitted readily over cosmic distances, led to those wavelengths becoming a prime target for early SETI efforts.”
They add that we have been too focused on human technology and in their research, analysed dozens of pulsars, fast-spinning neutron stars that release radiation.
They don’t believe these are linked to any alien signals, but said detecting them could be a similar process to spotting firefly-style ET communications.
The researchers added: “The firefly’s distinct flash sequence provides a means of identifying members of the same species for mating.
“Any extraterrestrial intelligence using this method to broadcast their presence is likely to be far more advanced than the current level of technology on Earth.”
They added: “Earth has become less radio loud, not more. Especially due to the transition from analogue TV to cable TV and the internet.
“This example highlights a challenge associated with looking for short-lived human technologies as a window into alien technologies.”
They added that we need to look for other signals like firefly-style flashes to “cast as wide a net as possible” for alien life.
Last month, it was reported that Saturn’s largest moon could be home to “slushy tunnels” hosting alien life.
Titan has long been of interest to the space agency, who believe it could be a place alien life could realistically be. In 2008 NASA‘s Cassini spacecraft gathered data suggesting it may host an ocean beneath its frozen crust.
But new analysis suggests it instead has “slushy tunnels and pockets of meltwater” in a new report that looked at water on faraway planets. According to LiveScience, scientists believe the possibility would enhance their quest to find alien life given water is a key ingredient for life.
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