Written by Sam Orlando
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) has long been an area of fascination for scientists and the public alike. With the possibility of life on other planets, many are curious about the potential for contact with extraterrestrial beings. While there have been numerous claims of unexplained potential alien contact, there has been little transparency from governments on their research into space and the possibility of communication with intelligent life. As such, many people are calling for more transparency and accountability from their governments on this issue.
One of the most well-known potential alien contacts occurred in 1977 when the Big Ear radio telescope detected a radio signal from deep space that lasted for 72 seconds. The signal, which has since been dubbed the "Wow! Signal," has never been explained, and some believe it could have been a message from extraterrestrial intelligence.
Another potential contact occurred in 1996 when scientists discovered a meteorite in Antarctica that some claimed contained fossilized bacteria from Mars. While the discovery has been hotly debated, it has yet to be conclusively proven one way or the other.
In 2007, astronomers discovered a strange object orbiting a star in the Milky Way that some believe could be an artificial structure created by an alien civilization. Dubbed "Tabby's Star," the object's unusual light pattern has yet to be fully explained.
In 2017, an interstellar object known as 'Oumuamua passed through our solar system, and its unusual shape and behavior sparked speculation that it could be an alien spacecraft. While scientists have since ruled out this possibility, 'Oumuamua's true nature remains a mystery.
Most recently, in 2021, the Pentagon released several videos of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) that have yet to be explained. While the videos do not definitively prove the existence of extraterrestrial life, they have sparked renewed interest in the possibility and renewed calls for transparency from governments on their research into this area.
The potential for extraterrestrial contact is an issue that has far-reaching implications for humanity. As such, it is important for governments to be transparent about their research into space and the possibility of communication with intelligent life. With the increasing interest in this topic, it is time for governments to take the lead and provide the public with the information they need to fully understand the potential implications of this issue. Only then can we make informed decisions about how to approach the possibility of contact with extraterrestrial intelligence.