SETI: The Dream of Life in Space
People have always gazed up at the stars in wonder. Their imaginations are filled with possibility as they think carefully how large the universe is and whether or not we are alone in it. Of all the stars out there, are there intelligent beings on a planet circling one of the stars looking back at us and wondering the same thing?
It is difficult to comprehend how many stars there are, or even to guess the possibilities of their being intelligent life. Yet our interest in finding out is so strong that the search has been going on for over a century. What we consider the modem Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) began around 1960.
The SETI project not what many people think it is. A simple explanation is that scientists study electromagnetic waves that are being emitted throughout the universe. When they are looking at these waves, they have a good idea of what are considered natural, random patterns the waves take. Therefore, they are searching for anything that does not appear to be randomly. If they were able to find something non-random, they would believe that an intelligent sources of some kind must be creating it. Inother words, intelligent life would have to exist somewhere else in the universe.
While the SETI project will continue lo listen for signals from an intelligent sources, other progammes hope to find any source of life. The Mars rovers will continue to search for dry lake beds and other areas on the Red Planet that may have once held life. If any lifecan be found outside the earth, then we are probably on our way to finding life that could be similar to our own.
36. How long has the search for life in outer space been going on?
A. For a few years B. Not over two decades
C. Since 1960 D. More than a hundred years
37. What are the people in the SETIproject listening for?
A. Random waves B.Specific voice in the universe
C. Patterns that are not random D. Special time signals
38. Which of the following sentences is NOT true?
A. People have long wondered if we are alone in the universe.
B. Scientists searching for any form or life that is found elsewhere than the earth.
C.Signals from intelligent sources will most likely be random.
D. The roverson Mars are looking for signs of life.
39. When did the modernsearch for intelligent life begin?
A. It began around 1960.
B. It has been going on since the beginning of time.
C.There is no record of when it began.
D. It has not actually begun yet.
40. Why are people searching for intelligent life in space?
A. Because they want to meet aliens.
B. Because they have a strong interest in it.
C. Because it is the reason for people's existence.
D. Because life must exist somewhere else.
