Century of Alien Life Searches
- A signal detected on Mars sparked a century of searches for extraterrestrial life.
- The signal was heard in 1924 from a radio receiver built during World War I.
- Scientists have been exploring the possibility of life beyond Earth ever since.
On a late summer weekend in 1924, excitement surged as crowds gathered in New York City to witness what many believed to be an advanced alien civilization on Mars. With Earth and Mars at their closest distance in a century—just 34 million miles apart—sidewalk astronomers urged onlookers to take advantage of the rare opportunity to view the planet's snowcaps and canals, which had captivated scientists and the public alike. The event, which took place on August 23, was marked by a flurry of activity in observatories across the country. Journalists, including Silas Bent, reported on the fervor surrounding the Martian “close-up,” highlighting the public's fascination with the enigmatic red planet. The anticipation was palpable, as many hoped to catch a glimpse of what they believed to be signs of life. In a bid to enhance the experience, the U.S. Navy implemented a nationwide radio silence for five minutes at the top of each hour from August 21 to 24. This unusual measure aimed to facilitate the reception of potential messages from Mars, with a military cryptographer on standby to decode any unusual transmissions that might be received. The convergence of scientific curiosity and public enthusiasm during this period underscored the era's fascination with space exploration and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, marking a significant moment in the history of astronomy and popular culture.