14 DAY TRIAL // In a new scientific study, experts propose that we attempt to use neutrinos in our quests to establish contact with potential extraterrestrial civilizations that may exist elsewhere in the Universe.
Until now, all messages that we sent into space were delivered via radio waves. We were accustomed to using this type of beams here on Earth, where signals are passed under this form all day long.
But even the strongest radio signal could lose itself in space, drowned in the myriad of other radio signals. These types of beams are produced by black holes, supernovae, the active cores of galaxies and a myriad of other sources.
If a beam that we sent from Earth passes by a cosmic object that is also a radio source, then the data it contains may be lost on any potential listener, experts say.
This is why radio waves need to be replaced with high-energy neutrinos, particle physicists say. These elementary particles are produced in a very small number of places in the Universe.
The idea was proposed by experts with the Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics, at the University of California in Santa Barbara (UCSB), who were led by expert Anthony Zee, Daily Galaxy reports.
Scientists such as Zee believe that neutrino energies are the ones that stand up easier from a sea of background noises. These particles are emitted from so few locations, that if a highly-concentrated beam of the stuff passes by our planet, then it would undoubtedly raise questions.
If an alien civilization attempts to contact us using radio waves, then those signals may very well pass by our ears, regardless of the expensive telescopes set up to pick them up.
Zee explains that, if an alien race wants to use neutrinos for communications, then all it needs to do is use a particle accelerator to smash electrons and positrons together. Neutrinos are produced from such reactions.
A large amount of W bosons would also result from the collisions, further helping identify the neutrino beams as being of extraterrestrial, rather than natural, origin.
Until neutrino technology is researched here on Earth too, experts will continue to use radio telescope to scan the skies for signals that may come from other races.