Direct Contact with Extraterrestrials: Ppossibilities and Implications

摘要

We can no longer scoff at the possibilities of direct, face-to-face contact between humans and intelligent extraterrestrials (ETs). Even assuming that current technological forecasts remain unchanged for billions of years, such contacts are possible. Facing the demise of its parent star, a technologicaly advanced race may migrate to neighboring star systems in large space arks or world ships propelled by solar sails unfurled near the home star. Since the home star is then leaving the main sequence and expanding towards the giant phase, these trips might require centuries instead of millenia. Since solar-type stars approach our Sun within 1-2 light years at intervals of less < 1 million years, migration times might be further reduced. Hundreds of encounters between our Sun and solar-type stars have occurred since life emerged from the sea. Current SETI (Search for extraterrestrial Intelligence) protocols usually assume that ETs will seek to open a radio dialogue with less advanced humans. But, since non-expansionist terrestrial societies have sought to live in isolation from their neighbors, this assumption may be inaccurate. It is therefore not impossible that ET world ships might silently exist in our solar system, masquerading as asteroids or comets. This paper investigates strategies for searching for and detecting these hypothtical objects. If they are located, humanity must deal with a number or comets. This paper investigates strategies for searching for and detecting these hypothetical objects. If they are located, humanity must deal with a number of issues. Should we initiate contact if the aliens remian noncommunicative. Who speaks for Earth and where is the optimum ocation for a direct meeting? Finally, what are the possible implications of such a direct contact upon our civilization and the aliens?