Stephen Hawking warns scientists against seeking contact with aliens

Zee Media Bureau/R Nandini

New Delhi: Physicist Stephen Hawking has warned the scientists against beaming messages into the universe and showing our presence as it could turn out to be catastrophic.

The idea that we might not be alone in this vast universe has made Scientists to explore different ways to communicate with the aliens and sending them signals from Earth. But Stephen Hawking has time and again warned them against it as one has no idea of how they would react.

Hawking has said that "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."

The idea, which is the brainchild of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute in California, involves powerful radio telescopes which will send the data to nearby stars and planets.

Seth Shostak of Seti, who was also the science advisor on the film 'Battleship' said that they were planning to pick star systems within 20 light years, of which there were several hundred, so they were near enough to answer in a reasonable time.

However, US scientist and NASA consultant David Brin has warned that any contact with aliens would "transform human destiny, and that it should only be conducted if the entire world is onboard.

(With Agency inputs)

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