Modern technologies bring humanity closer to solving this issue. But only a little. Today, using SETI - the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (search for extraterrestrial intelligence), as well as using radio telescopes, signals from extraterrestrial civilizations are searched for. The system, however, is passive, when researchers have to sit back and wait by the sea for the weather. And so far this method has not led to anything.
But there is another method that is more effective. SETI will use an entire collection of telescopes, including the famous three hundred and five-meter telescope Arecibo, to search for nearby stars to send out electronic signals that may give the answer if there is intelligent life in those systems. And if a civilization living somewhere out there uses the same methods to work with exoplanets, then the SETI team will be able to detect the signals.
By and large, a project is launched somewhat different from SETI, called METI. Messaging Extra Terrestrial Intelligence is actively sending messages to specific places in space, which can serve as a kind of greeting to potentially living alien astronomers somewhere.
But some scientists consider the project to be rather dangerous. For example, the famous physical theorist Stephen Hawking said that by informing aliens that we exist, we can bring trouble to us and our planet. A story similar to Columbus's journey and disembarkation in America may happen. Another mind can perceive humanity as an underdeveloped part of life. And this will lead to the same thing that happened to the Indians after the Old World learned about their existence.
Another researcher, Douglas Vakoch, assures that all fears are far too far-fetched. The fact is that if there are such aliens who are able to travel throughout comic space, then they already have the ability to catch our TV, radio and other signals. So, if someone wanted to attack us, they would have done so long ago.
The question then becomes: why keep sending signals? Yes, for the sake of science. After all, perhaps, somewhere the same developed life forms as we live. And it's nice to know that they are not alone. In other words, says Douglas Vakoch, you can test the theory of the zoo. According to this scheme, it turns out that the presence of intelligent life is more common in the universe than we can even assume. Why then, for example, there is no signal from the nearest star systems? Perhaps they are just waiting for someone else to take the initiative.
Moreover, Douglas Vakoch believes that you don't need to send signals very far. When it can take up to five thousand years to receive a signal. We need to explore the nearest stars, and what if we have neighbors.