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ET Will Phone Home Using Neutrinos, Not Photons

Posted by timothy on from the speak-and-spell-is-cross-particle-compatible dept.

KentuckyFC writes "Neutrinos are better than photons for communicating across the galaxy. That's the conclusion of a group of US astronomers who say that the galaxy is filled with photons that make communications channels noisy whereas neutrino comms would be relatively noise free. Photons are also easily scattered and the centre of the galaxy blocks them entirely. That means any civilisation advanced enough to have started to colonise the galaxy would have to rely on neutrino communications. And the astronomers reckon that the next generation of neutrino detectors should be sensitive enough to pick up ET's chatter."

13 of 299 comments (clear)

  1. Imagine the first alien message! by Thanshin · · Score: 5, Funny

    We'll learn precisely what kind of chemical product aliens use to enlarge their penis.

    1. Re:Imagine the first alien message! by dintech · · Score: 3, Funny

      For a person that quotes Hitchhiker's Guide in their sig, you've got an awfully pesimistic view on the comedic potential of the universe.

    2. Re:Imagine the first alien message! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      If sexual reproduction is common, the penis is a likely solution. I know that might be difficult for the average slashdotter to grasp. Erm, so to speak.

  2. Civil rights of aliens by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny

    Can I assume they'll need galactic warrants for these cosmic wiretaps?

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    1. Re:Civil rights of aliens by veganboyjosh · · Score: 5, Funny

      Thank you, Frank Shoemaker!

    2. Re:Civil rights of aliens by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Thank you, Frank Shoemaker!

      All your basse are belong to us!

  3. Neutrino@Home by Metorical · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does this mean I have to leave my computer on running Neutrino@Home listening for Extra Terrestrials while destroying my home planet?

  4. So, to find any aliens on Earth... by Hankapobe · · Score: 5, Funny

    all we would have to do is see who's buying a lot of dry cleaning fluid?

  5. Re:OK I got dibs by Brian+Gordon · · Score: 2, Funny

    I for one don't want to be carrying around a billion light-years of solid lead worth of mass in my back pocket to be able to pick up a signal.. this seems like a problem with physics, not with how advanced the tech is.

  6. Re:Still bound by the speed of light by genderbunny · · Score: 2, Funny

    You're missing the point: this technology will finally allow us to tune into the last millennium's alien HBO.

  7. TFA is wrong by soulsteal · · Score: 5, Funny

    Everyone knows ET used trees, the wind, some string, a coat hangar, a record player and a speak'n'spell to communicate.

    Duh.

  8. Re:Encryption? by utnapistim · · Score: 4, Funny

    Do you think that ET will be using encryption? Yes, but it wouldn't help: we have a Mac.
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    Tie two birds together: although they have four wings, they cannot fly. (The blind man)
  9. Too late! by RevWaldo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Carl Sagan got dibs way before both y'all.

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0345331354/ref=sib_dp_pt#
    (search "neutrino", click Page 260)

    And Ann Druyan will you sue for billions and billions of dollars.

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    Prisencolinensinainciusol. Ol Rait!