ADVANCED alien civilisations might be talking to each other across the vast reaches of space using a “firefly” technique.
That’s according to scientists who reckon spotting aliens might be far easier if we change how we look for them.
Aliens might actually be communicating with flashing lights – similar to fireflies here on Earth.
Scientists at Cornell University say that the search for aliens is usually inspired by “human centric ideas” of what intelligence and technology look like.
But they point out that humans aren’t the only example of intelligent species communicating on Earth.
That led scientists to look at fireflies, which communicate through light.
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Part of the problem for the current Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, or SETI, is what we’re looking for.
The scientists say that we’ve been too focused on human tech.
“For instance, the earliest indicators of technological activity from our planet came from the invention of radio transmission by the human species,” the researchers explained.
“The significance of our own radio broadcasts, and the fact that radio can be transmitted readily over cosmic distances, led to those wavelengths becoming a prime target for early SETI efforts.”
To help broaden our horizons, the researchers analyses the flashes of dozens of pulsars.
These are fast-spinning (and highly magnetised) neutron stars that release beams of electromagnetic radiation from their poles.
They used these as a way of examining what the alien signals might look like.
Researchers don’t think that these pulsars are linked to alien signals, but noted that detecting them could be a similar process to spotting firefly-style E.T communications.
“The firefly’s distinct flash sequence provides a means of identifying members of the same species for mating,” the researchers said.
What’s interesting is that the scientists think this sort of communication would actually be linked to a much more advanced civilisation.
“Any extraterrestrial intelligence using this method to broadcast their presence is likely to be far more advanced than the current level of technology on Earth,” they said.
They linked this to changing habits here on Earth.
“Earth has become less radio loud, not more,” they write.
“Especially due to the transition from analogue TV to cable TV and the internet.
“This example highlights a challenge associated with looking for short-lived human technologies as a window into alien technologies.”
So the researchers say we need to look for other signals – like firefly-style flashes – to “cast as wide a net as possible” for alien life.
That way we can “broaden the range” of types of alien intelligence we’re looking for.
Sadly, until we find alien life, it will be impossible to know exactly what we’re looking for.
