In a recent study published by the SETI Institute, scientists claim that clues about alien civilizations may be found on the Moon’s surface. Led by Dr. Lewis Pinault, the research suggests that extraterrestrial debris within lunar dust could potentially provide evidence of past or present alien civilizations. Since the Moon does not possess an atmosphere, liquid water or weather, it is an archive of clues. Scientists explain that if aliens have ever existed, it is likely that their particles remain on the lunar surface in some quantity.
How can the Moon provide clues about alien civilizations
Traditionally, scientists have relied on radio signals to find evidence of aliens. This approach assumes that alien civilizations are alive and are transmitting signals at exactly the same time we are listening. However, civilizations rise and fall. Therefore, aliens could be long dead while their physical debris may still exist in space.
The Moon serves as the most suitable place to search for clues of alien civilizations that no longer exist. Advanced alien civilizations shed microscopic particles of metal and glass produced by or exposed to space radiation. The remaining debris is known as Arkhipov particles. These particles are likely to be blown by the solar wind and land on the Moon’s airless surface, where they remain preserved. The Moon serves as a cosmic archive that can preserve particles for billions of years.
The proposed search for this debris starts by sampling one cubic meter of lunar soil. The soil will be examined using sophisticated procedures to identify any irregular elements that are unnature to the Moon’s geology. Artificial intelligence technologies would be used during this step to scan thousands of soil grains per second. The flagged particles will be tested extensively to verify their origin.
Challenges of finding alien clues on the Moon
A problem, widely known as human litter could cause pose a major challenge. As international space programs expand their operations, they may lead to terrestrial contamination. This would make it difficult to distinguish alien particles from different space equipment manufactured by different nations.
Critics of the research also claim that this study relies particles of a very specific size, namely, approximately 0.3 micrometers. If particles are larger than this size, the pull caused by gravity and solar gas may prevent them from travelling long distances. Moreover, if they are any smaller, space radiation might destroy them altogether. Critics also question how scientists can truly determine that a particle is ‘alien.’
Political analysts view the study through the lens of a high-stakes archaeological land grab. There are presently no laws that govern ownership of alien technology. Whichever nation or private entity is able to find alien particles will hold a monopoly over a potentially revolutionary technology.
