IF WE want to pick up messages from intelligent aliens, we need to listen at the right time. Our best chance of picking up an ET broadcast is when the Earth is closest to being directly between our Sun and the transmitting alien star, according to Robin Corbet of the Universities Space Research Association.
Not only does that position minimise any interference from the Sun in the signal, but it also has a psychological significance – that’s when we’re technically closest to the aliens, even if it’s only by a tiny fraction of the distance between us.
We’re not deliberately trying to attract the attention of alien…
