Scientists could finally prove aliens exist using a combination of AI and super-scopes.
Scientists could finally prove aliens exist using a combination of AI and super-scopes
Researchers from Earth’s biggest programme aimed at detecting the existence of extra-terrestrials are set to unveil powerful new innovations at their annual conference in Britain on Thursday (18.07.24.)
Lead project scientist Dr Steve Croft from the Breakthrough Listen scheme told The Guardian ahead of its meeting in Oxford: “There are amazing technologies that are under development, such as the construction of huge new telescopes in Chile, Africa and Australia, as well as developments in AI.
“They are going to transform how we look for alien civilisations.
“Until now, we have been restricted to looking for signals deliberately sent out by aliens to advertise their existence. The new techniques are going to be so sensitive that, for the first time, we will be able to detect unintentional transmissions as opposed to deliberate ones and will be able to spot alien airport radar, or powerful TV transmitters – things like that.”
Among the new alien-hunting instruments to be announced in Oxford are the Square Kilometre Array – made up of hundreds of radio telescopes now being built in South Africa and Australia.
There is also the Vera Rubin Observatory that is being constructed in Chile.
The telescopes will be the world’s most powerful radio astronomy facility.
And the observatory will be able to image the entire visible sky every three or four nights – and is expected to help discover millions of new galaxies and stars.
Dr Croft added: “We know that the conditions for life are everywhere, we know that the ingredients for life are everywhere.
“I think it would be deeply weird if it turned out we were the only inhabited planet in the galaxy or in the universe. But you know, it’s possible.”