A new study by an MIT graduate student published in the astrophysical journal suggests that humans could theoretically construct an infrared laser pointer that would be enough to attract the attention of intelligent civilizations if it were aimed at nearby exoplanets.
However, the probability of contact with current methods and technologies is very low, but progress in the coming years may make it possible. “While the probability of finding a nearby alien civilization using current survey methods is very low, advances in SETI and other space-based surveys could shorten that time to decades or centuries.”
Studies have shown that with a powerful laser of 1-2 megawatts and a telescope of 30 to 45 meters aimed at space, the laser could reach 20,000 light-years away from earth, attracting the attention of alien civilizations. Once picked up by aliens in a nearby system, we can also use it to transmit short messages.
Clark, the study’s lead author, added in a statement: “if we communicate successfully, we can flash a message at data rates of about a few hundred bits per second, which could happen in just a few years.”
But even though the laser was built to fire 20, 000 light years away, there are inherent safety issues, including the inherent power generated by the laser. Because magnetic flux density is about 800 watts per square meter, it’s invisible to the naked eye, but if they look directly at it, the beams could disrupt the path of navigational instruments or damage a person’s vision.
In fact, in the detection of alien civilizations, we have done a lot of research and efforts:
Discover pulsars
British astronomer Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell was the first to discover a pulsar in 1967, when she discovered a radio pulsar.
Since then, scientists have discovered other types of pulsars that emit x-rays and gamma rays. Pulsars are basically spinning, highly amplified neutron stars, but when they were discovered, it was believed they might have come from aliens.