For years now the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, better known as SETI, has used an array of different technologies to keep our ears tuned to the stars in search of errant (or intentional) signals from as-of-yet unknown interstellar neighbors. However, a new Australian project is supposing that, in order to find signs of life, we may need to change the channel on the great cosmic citizen band.

 The May issue of Astronomy Magazine includes a feature about a new radio-telescope under construction in Australia called the Murchison Wide-Field Array, which astronomers and cosmologists say will offer “a new glimpse of conditions in the early universe.” Harvard University Physicists Abraham Loeb and Matias Zaldarriaga argue that, in circumstances similar to those depicted in Carl Sagan’s book Contact, aliens may have already intercepted radio signals from us. Therefore, it stands to reason that by utilizing the new MWA radio-telescope and changing the location and the way we search for intentional signals from deep space, we may stumble upon unintentional signals on par with our own stray frequencies from military and entertainment-based communications systems here on Earth.

Presently, the great “Cosmic Watering Hole” frequency band is provided between 1420 MHz and 1660 MHz, which covers an area falling between emission frequencies of neutral hydrogen gas and hydroxyl molecules (hence the term “watering hole”, as both elements are relative to water). Anything outside this narrow area comprises either galactic noise below 1 gigahertz, or atmospheric noise above 10 gigahertz. Since the relatively quiet area that falls between has been favored by radio astronomers in the search for new alien friends, one might liken this area of frequencies as the cosmic equivalent to Myspace or Facebook: it’s a great (and likely) place to meet new friends. Let’s just hope that they’re friendly, lol.

So who knows… might our first glimpse of alien life be a sound byte of Alpha Centauri’s own version of Howard Stern… or better yet, maybe even an alien counterpart to Coast to Coast AM’s George Noory, broadcasting radio entertainment to a listenership in a galaxy far away as he contemplates alien life like you and I?