Space + Art
Tardigrade: sea caterpillars
Space is filled with mysteries. Despite the constant
research, we are left to our imaginations on the possibilities of planets with
different atmosphere and species. With so many unknowns, art helps to explore
and visually demonstrate and explain diverse planets that exist in our
universe. Many artists and scientist base their imaginations through research
on the species of our own planet (Greicius). For example, tardigrades are sea
caterpillars capable of surviving the hardiest environment on Earth and are
micro animals (Newitz). They are incapable of being seen through the naked eye;
however, through research and observations, artists were able to create a
drawing of tardigrades (Bradford). This allows the public to understand what realistic
alien species live in different planets instead of the common green alien shown
in movies.
Arecibo Message
Another combination of art and space is shown through the Arecibo
message. Arecibo message is a message transmitted by the Arecibo Radio
Telescope in 1974 and it is a simple, pictorial message that is used to tell
other species of our existence (“Arecibo Message”). The message is transmitted
in 1 and 0. The message shows numbers from 1 to 10, atomic numbers of elements,
formulas for sugar, number of nucleotides, graphic figure of human, solar
system and Arecibo radio telescope (Walker). It is most likely impossible for
an intelligent alien species to have the same language or communication methods
as human. Thus, Walker describes how Carl Sagan had created a pictorial
message, allowing possible intelligent species to understand who we are and the
atmosphere of Earth. Images are the easiest method of communication.
Communication with aliens would only be possible with the combination of art
and science.
Common appearance belief of aliens
Sources:
- “Arecibo Message.” The Birth of SETI Institute | SETI Institute, SETI, www.seti.org/seti-institute/project/details/arecibo-message.
- Bradford, Alina. “Facts About Tardigrades.” LiveScience, Purch, 14 July 2017, www.livescience.com/57985-tardigrade-facts.html.
- Greicius, Tony. “Our Living Planet Shapes the Search for Life Beyond Earth.” NASA, NASA, 15 Nov. 2017, www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/our-living-planet-shapes-the-search-for-life-beyond-earth.
- Newitz, Annalee. “Five Creatures That Prove Life Could Exist On Other Planets (Or In Space).” io9, io9.Gizmodo.com, 16 Dec. 2015, io9.gizmodo.com/5536752/five-creatures-that-prove-life-could-exist-on-other-planets-or-in-space.
- Walker, John. “The Arecibo Message Decoded.” How Do We Terraform Some Solar System' Moons?, www.bibliotecapleyades.net/circulos_cultivos/chilbolton07.htm.
Image Sources:
- “40 Years Ago, Earth Beamed Its First Postcard to the Stars.” Phenomena, National Geographic | Phenomena, 16 Nov. 2015, phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/11/28/40-years-ago-earth-beamed-its-first-postcard-to-the-stars/.
- “Aliens Speak on Possibility of Mars Reality Show.” Verge Campus, 19 Apr. 2016, vergecampus.com/2016/04/aliens-speak-on-possibility-of-mars-reality-show/.
- Turner, Taylor. “Meet the Tardigrade, the Animal That Will Outlive Us All.” The Washington Post, WP Company, www.washingtonpost.com/video/national/health-science/meet-the-tardigrade-the-animal-that-will-outlive-us-all/2017/07/14/4b921e54-68ae-11e7-94ab-5b1f0ff459df_video.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.940c62d93dc9.
I liked your comment on how art helps us use our world to explain other potential worlds out there. I actually learned about tardigrades before in one of my classes, but I never thought about how visual depictions of these organisms can actually give us an idea of what aliens in space might look like! It's also important that these artistic images are accessible to the general public as well, so that this understanding isn't just limited to the niche population of scientists and researchers.
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