A Message From Earth facts for kids
A Message from Earth is a special digital radio signal that was sent from our planet, Earth. This powerful message is traveling through space towards a planet called Gliese 581 c. Scientists sent it because they thought there might be life on Gliese 581 c. The signal was sent on October 9, 2008.
Contents
What is A Message from Earth?
A Message from Earth is a very strong radio wave carrying digital information. Think of it like a super-fast, invisible email sent across the galaxy! It's designed to travel huge distances through space.
Why Was the Message Sent?
The main reason for sending this message was to try and contact possible lifeforms on Gliese 581 c. This planet is a large rocky planet located outside our own Solar System. Scientists are always curious if other planets could support life, and Gliese 581 c was a good candidate.
How Were the Messages Chosen?
The signal isn't just one big message. It actually contains 501 different messages! These messages were chosen through a special competition. People submitted their ideas on a social networking site called Bebo. The best messages were then picked to be part of this historic signal.
How Was the Message Sent?
The message was sent using a very powerful radar telescope called the RT-70. This giant telescope belongs to Ukraine's National Space Agency. It's strong enough to beam signals across incredible distances in space.
When Will the Message Arrive?
The journey for "A Message from Earth" is a very long one. Even though radio waves travel at the speed of light, Gliese 581 c is incredibly far away. The signal is expected to finally reach the planet Gliese 581 c in early 2029.
