What would you do if you discovered ET (an extraterrestrial)?

Whilst visiting a number of UFO sites, to catch up on the latest sightings, I came across an article entitled "Astronomers to Decide What to Do when E.T. Calls" on one of my favorite UFO sites.

The article discussed a gathering early next month of astronomers, to decide who they should report “alien” signals to, as part of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).

Most people associate alien contact with actual sightings, but SETI involves the analysis of electromagnetic waves from space, research that has been in action since the 60’s, and highlighted in the film “Contact”

The following is an extract from the book "Global Warming - The Final Solution"

ARE WE ALONE?

The debate on whether humans are the only life form in the universe has been an ongoing one, but logic dictates that this is extremely unlikely. With 400,000 million stars in our galaxy alone, what are the odds of all the planets they support being lifeless?

In 1977 SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) picked up a radio beam from another star. Unfortunately, they were unable to set up additional equipment in time, and the signal was lost. Could this have been evidence that life does exist on at least one other planet?

We should remember that Earth has been sending radio signals out into space for many years (not always intentionally), but these radio waves are very slow and our earliest signals have perhaps traveled no more than 50 light years, probably not far enough to have reached another star. The radio beam discovered by SETI in 1977 may also have been created many years ago (depending on the distance from its point of origin). If it was produced by a race of people, with similar intelligence at the time, these beings could have advanced considerably since it was sent.

Although no signals have been detected, at least not since 1977, astronomers believe that this could change soon and feel that a system should be set up for making such reports (individuals can also take part online).

With so many of the visual sightings usually “blurred” or “indistinguishable”, and some people being tempted into using the latest software to make fakes, a radio signal might be the best option for providing the proof everyone is seeking.

It is unfortunate that people remain so skeptical about the possibility of life on other planets, but this is not helped by the mainstream media’s obsession of poking fun at such reports and encouraging others to do the same. This has created a belief that such people are either too narrow minded to accept a very logical assumption, are afraid of discovering we are not alone, or are covering up an event that has already happened.

For those who keep an open mind on the subject, there is no doubt that we will make contact with an alien race sooner or later. Whether they will be friendly or hostile remains to be seen, but it will happen and they will be more advanced than we are.

In the meantime, we must be patient and keep watching, and listening, to the skies.