There’s no denying the allure of alien artifacts. Science fiction is awash in the material remnants of extraterrestrial civilizations, which surface in everything from the classic books of arthur C. Clarke to game franchises like mass Effect and Outer Wilds.
The discovery of the first interstellar objects in the solar system within the past decade has sparked speculation that they could be alien artifacts or spaceships, though the scientific consensus remains that all three of these visitors have natural explanations.
That said, scientists have been anticipating the possibility of encountering alien artifacts since the dawn of the space age.
“In the history of technosignatures, the possibility that there could be artifacts in the solar system has been around for a long time,” says Adam Frank, a professor of astrophysics at the University of Rochester.
“We’ve been thinking about this for decades. We’ve been waiting for this to happen,” he continues. “but being responsible scientists means holding to the highest standards of evidence and also not crying wolf.”
That raises some tantalizing questions: What is the best way to search for alien artifacts? And what should we do if we actually find one?
How Do You Search for alien Artifacts?
Searching for alien artifacts isn’t as simple as scanning the skies. Scientists need to consider what these artifacts might look like and where they might be found.Frank explains that the search strategy depends on the assumed level of technology of the civilization that created the artifact.
“If it’s a very advanced civilization, they might have built something that’s very subtle, very hard to detect,” Frank says. “If it’s a less advanced civilization, they might have built something that’s more obvious, but also more limited in its scope.”
Hear are a few potential search strategies:
- Scanning for Unusual Objects: This involves using telescopes to look for objects that don’t behave like natural asteroids or comets. This is how ‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov were initially detected.
- Looking for artificial Signatures: Scientists can search for signs of technology, such as radio signals or unusual patterns of light. This falls under the broader field of technosignature research.
- Examining Near-Earth Objects: Some scientists suggest focusing on objects that come close to Earth, as these might be probes or other artifacts sent to observe our planet.
- Searching the Lunar Surface: The Moon’s far side, shielded from Earth’s radio noise, could be a potential location for alien installations.
What Happens If We Find Something?
Discovering an alien artifact would be a monumental event, and the response would need to be carefully considered. Frank emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and a cautious approach.
“The first thing we need to do is verify that it is, in fact, an artifact,” Frank says. “We need to rule out all natural explanations before we jump to any conclusions.”
If the artifact is confirmed to be artificial, the next step would be to study it. This could involve sending probes to examine it up close, or attempting to communicate with its creators (if possible). Though, Frank cautions against any hasty actions.
“We need to be very careful about how we interact with it,” Frank says. “We don’t want to accidentally damage it, or provoke a hostile response.”
The discovery of an alien artifact would raise profound philosophical and ethical questions.It would challenge our understanding of the universe and our place within it. It would also force us to confront the possibility that we are not alone.
Key Takeaways
- Scientists have long considered the possibility of finding alien artifacts in our solar system.
- The search for these artifacts involves looking for unusual objects and artificial signatures.
- If an artifact is discovered, verification and cautious study are crucial.
- Such a discovery would have profound implications for our understanding of the universe.
