Aliens may have bugged space rocks to spy on Earth, scientist says - NBCNewsMACH
Earth's closest star other than the sun right now is Alpha Centauri, 4.37 light-years away. But every half million years or so, a star comes within about a light-year of Earth, Benford said, meaning that hundreds or thousands of stars have been close enough to our planet during Earth's long history to make contact. Long-ago aliens may have observed nothing more exciting than photosynthesizing bacteria, or dinosaurs if they were lucky.
The moon might seem a better candidate for alien spyware than some teeny space rocks; but any given point on the moon is in darkness for two weeks at a time, Benford said. A probe would have to be able to store energy until it could charge in the sun again. Still, he and Davies have both argued for taking a close look at the high-resolution images of the moon sent back by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, just in case something is there.
Benford suggests observing Earth's co-orbitals with optical and radio telescopes as well as pinging it with planetary radar — potentially sending a signal to any extraterrestrial civilizations that might, just maybe, still be listening. Sending small spacecraft to the co-orbitals would also be relatively cheap and easy, he said.
"If we don't find anything, that means no one has come to look at the life of Earth for over billions of years," Benford said."That is a big surprise, a stunning thing."
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
He’s Been To Space; Now Franklin Díaz Wants To Improve Life On EarthAd Astra is currently working with the government of Costa Rica on a project involving hydrogen vehicles, including buses and the first four Toyota Mirai sedans in Central America.
Weiterlesen »
Starry space bubbles captured by Spitzer telescopeNASA's Spitzer Space Telescope spied something magical: gigantic bubbles in space with stars trapped inside them.
Weiterlesen »
He’s Been To Space; Now Franklin Díaz Wants To Improve Life On EarthAd Astra is currently working with the government of Costa Rica on a project involving hydrogen vehicles, including buses and the first four Toyota Mirai sedans in Central America.
Weiterlesen »
Credit Suisse Executive Resigns Over Spy Scandal That Has Rocked Switzerland’s BanksPierre-Olivier Bouee, chief operating officer at Credit Suisse, stepped down after ordering the surveillance of one of its former star bankers, a move which the banks says has caused it 'reputational damage.'
Weiterlesen »
California man charged in elaborate Chinese spy operationEdward Peng was caught acting as a courier for China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) after the U.S. launched a “double agent operation” in March 2015
Weiterlesen »