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Explained: Why we haven't found aliens yet

We have only managed to examine a very small portion of the entire universe

SETI, Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, has been operating since the last 60 years, facing the sky, watching and listening in to everything they can. The reason, searching for intelligent life outside earth—aliens. SETI is searching for sounds and radio frequencies that are not created by natural sources.

But why have we not yet managed to find anything? TechCrunch spoke to famous astronomer Jill Tarter, who explains that there are two pieces to this puzzle.

SETI astronomer Jill TarterSETI astronomer Jill Tarter

According to her, the universe is vast and we haven’t managed to look into every place out there. Imagine the ocean as the universe—we have only searched in a glass full of water. Similarly, with the currently available technology and the time spent by the scientists and astronomers at SETI, they have only managed to search in an incredibly small portion of the universe. They have only looked at a tiny portion of a very large picture. Her second reason was that they are stuck the technology of the 21st century. As technology will constantly improve, their search will improve and increase in efficiency.

At present, SETI is only looking into a small portion of space, but in future, SETI scientists, with the latest technological advancements, will be able to search for intelligent life in ‘pools’ and ‘lakes’ of the universe.

So what happens if aliens are found or if they arrive on earth?

TechCrunch highlights what Stephen Hawkings said, ‘aliens may end up being similar to Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas.’

“If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn’t turn out well for the Native Americans.” – Stephen Hawking.

However, Tarter had a different perception on this. If aliens arrive, they could be potential risks involved. An extraterrestrial visit could only mean that they have better and advanced technology, as compared to ours, and we will not have an upper hand.

It is similar to what happened to America when Columbus arrived there. It won’t be good for humans as they will have an upper hand over us.

However, these are all speculations and no one knows what will happen and when it will happen.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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