The observatory located near the Puerto Rican city of Arecibo, which housed the largest single-camera radio telescope in the world at the time (an antenna with a diameter of over 300 m), began operations on November 1, 1963.
But the giant radio telescope, which was operated by Cornell University together with the National Science Foundation (NSF), crashed in December 2020 and is unfortunately no longer usable for the new study of the cosmos. An observatory in Puerto Rico went down after 57 years of operation.
In 2022, the NSF announced that the telescope, known for example from the Bond movie Golden Eye or from the sci-fi film Contact, will not be rebuilt and an educational facility will be established in its place.
The legend went down in a few seconds: Unique footage of the observatory collapse
Science and schools
The target of the broadcast in 1974 was the star cluster M13, 25 thousand light-years away from the Solar System. Astronomers chose it because it was just “at hand” half a century ago. The broadcast was less than three minutes; the whole event with the broadcast for extraterrestrials was mainly a promotion of the telescope. The chances of an alien civilization actually intercepting the transmission are really small. During the journey, the signal loses quality, and in addition, the target star cluster will lie a little different in 25 thousand years.
Scientists broadcast the same message in 2001
The message, which was arranged in a rectangle with 73 rows and 23 columns, contained 1679 binary digits, approximately 210 bytes, was transmitted at a frequency of 2380 MHz and modulated with a frequency shift of 10 Hz with a power of 1000 kW.
The message contained the following seven parts: numbers from one to ten; the atomic numbers of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus that make up deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA); patterns of carbohydrates and bases in DNA nucleotides; the number of nucleotides in human DNA and a representation of the double helix structure of DNA; representation of the human figure, the size (physical height) of the average man and the human population on Earth; representation of the solar system; representation of the Arecibo radio telescope and the dimension (diameter) of the transmitting antenna dish.
The same message as in 1974 was broadcast again in 2001 as part of the “Call” space project under the auspices of a commercially based company in Houston, Texas.
New message
An international team of experts has put together a new message in 2022 to be broadcast to the farthest corners of our galaxy with the hope that potentially intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations could pick it up. For curious extraterrestrials, this interstellar letter, known as The Beacon in the Galaxy, wants to offer a coded record that should contain, for example, the basic principles of mathematics and physics, information about humanity, and also about Earth in case the addressees want reply to the message.
This report is compiled by a team of experts led by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Team leader Jonathan Jiang of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) said the binary message will be beamed into the Milky Way’s core from the Allen Telescope in California and China’s FAST telescope, which has a 500-meter-diameter antenna.
Scientists intend to broadcast a new message to aliens
Science and schools
But Professor Stephen Hawking once warned that humanity should stop trying to broadcast into space so as not to attract unwanted attention. “If extraterrestrials visit us, the outcome may be similar to when Columbus landed in America — it didn’t go well for the native Indians,” he said in a Discovery Channel documentary.
According to astrobiologist Tomáš Petrásk, the first broadcast into space was made from the Soviet telescope in Yevpatoriya in 1962. It was in Morse code and read: “Peace. Lenin. USSR.”
The American physicist and astronomer William Gordon (died in 2010 at the age of 92) from Cornell University, which operated the telescope for many years, is considered the father of the mentioned radio telescope near Arecibo, Puerto Rico. It was used to investigate changes in the atmosphere and mainly to research space and to seriously search for information about the possible existence of extraterrestrial civilizations. He was a major part of the project SETI@homewhich dealt with possible messages from space using personal computers in homes or businesses around the world.
With the help of a radio telescope, for example, in 1974, American astronomers Russell Hulse and Joseph Taylor discovered a new type of pulsar (certain types of stars), for which they received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1993.
Questionnaire
Are we alone in space?
I have no idea / I don’t care.
A total of 224 readers voted.
The alien center is also ready for the arrival of the Klingons
Cocktail
Arecibo Observatory: The Telescope That Went Out With a Bang (Not a Whimper)
Ah, the Arecibo Observatory. Once the gleaming jewel of Puerto Rico—just imagine it as the Vera Wang gown of radio telescopes—but now, it’s a bit like an old pair of jeans: comfortable, nostalgic, but ultimately, it’s just not wearable anymore… well, unless you’re into that whole “collapsed” aesthetic.
From Cosmic Wonders to Ruins: A 57-Year Romance
The Arecibo Observatory opened for business on November 1, 1963. That was a time when music was groovy, bell-bottoms were mandatory and the biggest concern was whether your transistor radio could pick up The Beatles. Fast forward 57 years, and the telescope (which had more metal than a heavy metal concert) decided it didn’t want to play nice anymore. It literally crashed—like someone at a birthday party who’s had one too many slices of cake. But unlike a birthday cake, the demise of the telescope wasn’t exactly a cause for celebration.
And yes, folks, it was a dramatic end! Picture this: a radio telescope that once beamed messages to the stars, flinging signals containing humanity’s greatest hits (and by that, I mean the numerical representation of our DNA and how tall we are—so basically our Tinder profiles), went down with a video that probably made many a heart weep. Talk about a short and shocking finale!
Do Aliens Really Care? The Cosmic Ad Campaign
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the spectacle that was the 1974 broadcast to star cluster M13, which, just to clarify, is not some posh nightclub—it’s a star cluster 25,000 light-years away. Astronomers initially transmitted a message that was scientifically profound like "Numbers! DNA! Here’s how to get a drink with us, aliens!” But honestly, what were they expecting? To have little green men sipping martinis and whispering sweet nothings back to Earth? The chances of anyone intercepting that message are about as likely as finding a needle in a cosmic haystack, especially considering the signal quality pretty much degrades faster than my enthusiasm on a Monday morning.
Flash Forward: New Messages and Warnings from Hawking
Fast forward to 2001, and they repeated the stunt! It’s kind of like those movies that get sequels nobody asked for—nobody needs a new "broadcast to the stars" franchise, can we all agree on that? The 2022 initiative, however, comes with a twist: it’s called “The Beacon in the Galaxy.” Like the interstellar invitation of an exclusive club, offering a sneak peek into the basic principles of mathematics and physics. Just remember: what happens in the Milky Way stays in the Milky Way.
But here’s the kicker, ladies and gentlemen: the one and only Stephen Hawking cautioned against broadcasting messages into space, suggesting it might be akin to Columbus showing up at America’s doorstep without calling first. Difficult conversations were had, and frankly, I’m with him—if aliens take one look at our planet’s current affairs and decide to pop on over, it’ll be the cosmic equivalent of a reality TV show gone wrong.
The Grand Finale: A Legacy in Telescopes
Of course, we can’t forget William Gordon, the father of the Arecibo Telescope. He pioneered so much, using this scientific marvel as an instrument of discovery that earned Nobel Prizes and still inspired dreams of extraterrestrial life. The Arecibo Telescope was the rockstar of astronomy, and now? Well, it’s more like a retired rockstar—still iconic but taking a long vacation.
So, as we look to the stars with a new message ready to be beamed across the cosmos, I say let’s proceed with caution! Perhaps we can keep our interstellar secrets to ourselves until we’re absolutely sure those aliens only want to bond over astrophysics and not go full-on Independence Day on us!
Are We Alone in Space?
Well, at this point, I’m convinced that whether we’re alone or not, it’s perhaps best they stay out there. After all, would you want to risk your planet being the next content for an alien reality show? Better safe than swirling through the stardust, right?
And there you have it, folks! The Arecibo Observatory may be gone, but its legacy will forever linger—kind of like that awkward moment when you realize your last message on Tinder didn’t get a reply… but who knows? Maybe the aliens are too busy streaming Netflix!
The Arecibo Observatory, situated near the vibrant city of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, was renowned for hosting the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope, boasting a remarkable antenna diameter of over 300 meters. This groundbreaking facility officially commenced operations on November 1, 1963, embarking on a quest to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos.
However, the iconic radio telescope, managed collaboratively by Cornell University and the National Science Foundation (NSF), faced an unfortunate fate when it collapsed in December 2020 after 57 years of essential scientific contributions. The loss of this giant observatory marks a significant blow to contemporary astronomical investigations.
In 2022, the NSF made the pivotal announcement that the beloved telescope, which captured public imagination in films like *GoldenEye* and *Contact*, would not be rebuilt. Instead, plans were set in motion for the establishment of an educational facility dedicated to inspiring future generations in science and technology.
The legend went down in a few seconds: Unique footage of the observatory collapse
Science and schools
The remarkable broadcast in 1974, targeting the distant star cluster M13, situated about 25,000 light-years from our Solar System, was notable for its ambition. Astronomers opted for this accessible target due to its proximity, aiming to reach out to potential extraterrestrial civilizations. The broadcast lasted less than three minutes and was primarily a promotional endeavor showcasing the telescope’s capabilities. Despite the allure, the likelihood of an alien civilization intercepting this message remains exceedingly slim, as the signal deteriorates over time, and the alignment of celestial bodies will have inevitably shifted in 25,000 years.
Scientists broadcast the same message in 2001
A detailed message, meticulously arranged in a rectangular format with 73 rows and 23 columns, comprised 1,679 binary digits—approximately 210 bytes—transmitted at a frequency of 2,380 MHz. The modulation was executed using a frequency shift of 10 Hz, powered by a formidable 1,000 kW transmission.
This comprehensive message encompassed seven critical components: the digits one through ten; atomic numbers for essential elements like hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus, which are foundational to DNA; representations of DNA nucleotide structures; the total nucleotide count within human DNA and the iconic double helix; a depiction of an average human figure alongside Earth’s population statistics; a graphical representation of the solar system; and finally, an illustration of the Arecibo telescope itself, emphasizing the impressive diameter of its antenna dish.
In a fascinating revival, the same message transmitted in 1974 was re-broadcast in 2001 as part of the “Call” space project, spearheaded by a commercially driven company based in Houston, Texas.
New message
An international consortium of experts developed an innovative message in 2022, intended to traverse vast distances within our galaxy, aiming to catch the attention of potentially intelligent extraterrestrial life. This ambitious interstellar correspondence, known as *The Beacon in the Galaxy*, promises to convey a coded archive of knowledge, including fundamental principles of mathematics and physics, alongside critical information about humanity and Earth, should recipients choose to reply.
This crucial initiative is orchestrated by a dedicated team led by NASA, with Jonathan Jiang from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the helm. The researchers plan to broadcast the binary message into the heart of the Milky Way, utilizing the capabilities of both the Allen Telescope in California and China’s FAST telescope, which features a monumental 500-meter diameter antenna.
Scientists intend to broadcast a new message to aliens
Science and schools
However, the late Professor Stephen Hawking expressed caution regarding humanity’s attempts to reach out into space, warning of potential repercussions that could arise from attracting unwanted attention. He compared the situation to the historical arrival of Columbus in America, which did not end well for the indigenous populations.
Astrobiologist Tomáš Petrásk noted that the first broadcast into space originated from the Soviet telescope in Yevpatoriya in 1962, where it conveyed a simple Morse code message reading: “Peace. Lenin. USSR.”
William Gordon, an esteemed American physicist and astronomer, is acknowledged as the father of the Arecibo telescope, which enriched scientific research for decades. It served as a vital tool for atmospheric studies and played a significant role in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. He was instrumental in the SETI@home project, which utilized the power of personal computers worldwide to analyze potential signals from the cosmos.
Among the many contributions made through this radio telescope, American astronomers Russell Hulse and Joseph Taylor utilized it to discover a new type of pulsar in 1974, which ultimately earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1993.
Questionnaire
Are we alone in space?
I have no idea / I don’t care.
A total of 224 readers voted.
The alien center is also ready for the arrival of the Klingons
Cocktail
What ethical considerations should be taken into account when using the Array (ATA) and Deep Space Network (DSN) for interstellar communication?
Array (ATA) and the Deep Space Network (DSN) for transmission. The campaign intends not only to share humanity’s story but also to ignite consideration and discussion about the ramifications of reaching out to the cosmos.
Consulting the Experts: Caution in Our Approach
Echoing Stephen Hawking’s earlier warnings, the discussions among scientists have emphasized the necessity for caution. The potential risks of broadcasting our location and information to unknown cosmic entities have raised a collective eyebrow. While some argue that sharing knowledge is a good step towards potential interstellar communication, others suggest this might attract unwanted attention. It’s a delicate balance of curiosity and caution, where the fear of stirring the galactic pot lurks just beneath the surface.
Conclusion: The Future of Interstellar Communication
The legacy of the Arecibo Observatory may have come to a dramatic end, but its impact lives on in the dialogues it sparked and the messages it sent into the vast unknown. Whether we will ever find answers to the age-old question of whether we are alone in space remains to be seen. Until then, it wouldn’t hurt to keep our cosmic secrets a little closer to our chest—after all, galactic messaging might just end up being a game best played amongst the stars!
