ONE-DIMENSIONAL RADIO MESSAGE FOR "BLIND" ALIENS
Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics
Vedensky Square 1, 141120 Friazino, Russia
ABSTRACT: Both previous radiomessages for aliens, Arecibo 1974 and
Evpatoria 1999 (see http://ebe.allwebco.com/Science for details) were
the logical ones and represented the binary stream of FM information,
which should be arranged into two-dimensional forms to perceive by
eye-like sense-organ. And I guess the primary one-dimensional message
is more understandable by unfamiliar aliens and the music is the most
universal expression of intellectual activity by means of one-channel
ear-like radiolink. Further, the Theremin instrument is the most
preferable for interstellar transmission since Theremin produces
quasi-sinusoidal narrowband signals with continuous phase under
performance, which are more easy for extraction from noise. So, I
suggest to implement the 1st Theremin Concert for Aliens from Arecibo
or Evpatoria Radar facility. The Theremin virtuoso Lidia Kavina agrees
to give such Concert with appropriate classic and cosmic repertoire
either in on-line mode at observatory's concert-hall or off-line
Concert in audio studio. The Theremin's signal lies at about (0-10)
kHz, and it should be shifted by SSB mixer to radar band and
transmitted into space toward any star cluster or Sun-like star.
THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL JUSTIFICATION
Giordano Bruno, whose theories of the infinite universe and the
multiplicity of worlds anticipated modern science, was brought to the
Campo de' Fiori, his tongue in a gag, and burned alive. The modern gag
is the Item 8 of IAA Declaration of Principles Concerning Activities
Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence: "No response
to a signal or other evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence should
be sent until appropriate international consultations have taken
place". But this IAA document forbids the future response as a
reaction on definite detection and I suggest the present broadcast for
proposed aliens before hypothetical message is received.
There were four Messages from Earth to proposed aliens -- two material
(Pioneer Plaque and Voyager Record) and two ethereal (Arecibo-1974 and
Evpatoria-1999). Both Arecibo and Evpatoria messages were the logical
ones and represented the radiosignals, frequency manipulated by binary
stream of information, which could be understandable after error-free
extraction of this binary stream in whole, conjecture that it is the
production of two prime numbers, and an ability to conceive
two-dimensional images. However I propose not a discrete two-tone
radiosignal but a more native continuous one, in which smooth
frequency variations directly transfer one-dimensional emotional
information. I am talking about music, which is more universally
comprehensible than language, and about theremin, which is an
electronic noncontact musical instrument.
Theremin consists of a box with analog ICs producing oscillations at
two sound-wave frequencies above the range of hearing (100-500 kHz);
together, they produce a lower audible frequency equal to the
difference in their rates of vibration. Pitch is controlled by
smoothly moving the hand toward or away from an antenna at the right
side of the box. Theremin produces a quasi-sinusoidal signal with
smooth frequency variations without phase breaking, therefore such
signals have the high delectability across interstellar distances. To
transmit, the theremin's signals should be up-shifted by SSB (single
side band) mixer without any additional modulation or manipulation
into radar S-band and directed toward the selected target star cluster
or Sun-like star with its own planetary system.
The theremin approach for constructing messages for aliens provides
direct implementation and does not need any postulates in order to
create a sophisticated and disputably cosmic language to inform Them
about our emotional world. It is clear, the theremin has a moderate
emotional impact and it is not a symphonic orchestra, but the Arecibo
picture with 1679 black-and-white squares is not a color oil-painting,
either.
The theremin was invented 80 years ago, in 1920 by Leon Theremin.
Theremin's daughter Natalia Theremin and grand-niece Lidia Kavina are
well-known theremin performers (you may visit The Theremin Word Home
Page at http://www.thereminworld.com for further information). Natalia
and (or) Lidia are ready to visit Arecibo or Evpatoria and give an
on-line theremin concert for aliens. Also, off-line Concert in studio
and audio cassette with its tape recorder are acceptable. Of course,
any
American or European theremin virtuoso are welcome, too. The concert
playbill would include both classical and cosmic repertoire, as well
as the specially composed music. Appropriately, this instrument was
used in the soundtracks of several science fiction films. And before
this concerto I would make the presentation "The Logical and Emotional
Messages from Earth".
TIME AND EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The observing time needed to carry out the program
depends on tracking duration of selected target by fixed Arecibo antenna. Anyway
this time is equal or less than 2.5 hours. The user-provided special equipment
which would be brought to the Observatory is the theremin. The auxiliary Observatory equipment needed for
the project are the special real-time hardware and software which should periodically
(I guess, not faster than each 0.1 sec) determine the theremin's current frequency
and replace it on stable continuous signal from DDS (direct digital synthesizer)
in order to provide the coherent radar transmission, which would be easily detectable
across interstellar distances.
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