All you outer space aficionados and extraterrestrial trivia lovers, listen up. I’ve got some important news. (And for the rest of you, tag along. You may find this tickles your fancy, too.) It’s official. We’re finally going to answer the “Wow!” message from outer space, and you, I repeat, you can be a part of it!
Back in 1977, “The Big Ear” radio observatory at Ohio State University picked up an unexpected signal as part of the international SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) program. What they heard was an intense 72-second radio transmission beamed at us from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. The transmission was some 30 times more powerful than all the random space noise the “Ear” heard before or since (the observatory was dismantled in 1998 after about 25 years of service). In fact, scientists figured the signal would have required a 2.2 gigawatt transmitter, something vastly more powerful than anything here on Earth. It was so jaw-dropping that the volunteer astronomer listening scratched out “Wow!” on the subsequent computer printout, thus giving the event its name.
To this day, the signal’s meaning and/or true origin point is a mystery. But some brave souls at the National Geographic Channel—who just happen to be premiering a new series called Chasing UFOs—have decided it’s high time to send a solid answer. They’re going to connect with those illusive aliens in the only way that makes sense, really: They’re gonna tweet at ’em.
That’s right, and if you’ve got something to say to anyone out in the final frontier, now’s your opportunity. All tweets composed and tagged with the hashtag #ChasingUFOs between 8 p.m. tonight (June 29) and 3 a.m. Saturday (June 30) are going to be bundled together. And on Aug. 15—exactly 35 years after the original signal reception—the messages will be transmitted into space with the help of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
“Earlier transmissions have focused on simplicity, whereas this one will rely more on creating a complex but noticeable pattern, hopefully standing out from other random, natural noise,” National Geographic Channel spokeswoman Kristin Montalbano said in an official statement.
So here’s to a little intergalactic shout out. Make it good, guys. You’ve got up to 140 characters to change the universe. I’ve already got mine written, with characters to spare:
“You guys up for another pyramid? My backyard’s free. Yo!”
I’m thinking, intergalactic fellowship and a great backyard barbecue discussion starter. It’s a win/win.
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