Sitting just 12.4 light-years away is an Earth-like planet with the fancy name GJ273b which orbits a star called Loyton’s Star, an otherwise non-descript red dwarf. GJ 273b is classified as a “Super Earth,” but given that it’s in the Goldilocks zone, there’s a chance that it could sustain life as we know it.
For three days in October 2017, a team of musicians led by the Sónar music festival transmitted eighteen musical pieces, each 10 seconds long, towards GJ 273b in the hope of luring aliens into a response. The 180-second message was repeated nine times. Another fifteen musical messages were sent the following April.
First, let’s hope they’re listening. Second, let’s hope they like music. And third, let’s hope they don’t decide to invade. If they do, the answer that returns in 24 years might be “Message received. We’ll be there to invade in about 1400 years.” Will they be Grays, Reptilians or insectoids? Place your bets.
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