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:

1. “Arecibo Message.” The Birth of SETI Institute | SETI Institute, SETI, www.seti.org/seti-institute/project/details/arecibo-message.
2. Bradford, Alina. “Facts About Tardigrades.” LiveScience, Purch, 14 July 2017, www.livescience.com/57985-tardigrade-facts.html.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Walker, John. “The Arecibo Message Decoded.” How Do We Terraform Some Solar System' Moons?, www.bibliotecapleyades.net/circulos_cultivos/chilbolton07.htm.

Image Sources:

1. “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/.
2. “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/.
3. 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.