The Last Arecibo Message
Introduction
Graphical explanation of the Arecibo Message. Credit: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
The Arecibo Message was a brief binary-encoded message sent into space from the Arecibo Observatory on November 16, 1974, to demonstrate human technological achievement. In mid-2020, the Arecibo Observatory selected a new message designed by students. The Arecibo Telescope collapsed in late 2020, and the message was never sent.
The Planetary Habitability Laboratory (PHL) is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Arecibo Message with the event "The Last Arecibo Message" in November 2024. This event celebrates the legacy of the Arecibo Observatory and a look toward the future of interstellar communication.
Press Releases
Music Joins Science in the Commemoration of the Arecibo Message (Nov 14, 2024).
Documentary "El Mensaje" (Dec 3, 2024)
Resources
Paper: "The Last Arecibo Message" (to be submitted)
Onsite Activities at UPR Arecibo
November 15, 2024, at 8:40 AM: Presentation at the "Simposio de Investigación 2024".
December 3, 2024, at 10:00 AM: Main event with the presentation of the short documentary "El Mensaje."
Things to Commemorate in November Related to the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the Universe:
First SETI Conference's 63rd Anniversary (Nov 1-2)
Interstellar's 10th Anniversary (Nov 5)
Carl Sagan's 90th Birthday (Nov 9)
Arecibo Message's 50th Anniversary (Nov 16)
SETI Institute's 40th Anniversary (Nov 20)
First Detection of a Pulsar (Nov 28)
Last Night of the Arecibo Telescope (Nov 30)
Related News
We sent a message to aliens 50 years ago—this is what we said (National Geographic)
The Arecibo Message, Earth’s First Interstellar Transmission, Turns 50 (Scientific American)
Reflecting on the Arecibo Message, Our First Attempt to Speak with the Stars (Scientific American)
Humans Are Divided and Unhappy. What Better Time to Contact Alien Life? (New York Times)
Contact Attempt – on the 50th Anniversary of the Arecibo Message (Hamburg Planetarium)
Why did Earth’s first radio message to alien civilizations leave out half of humanity? (Nature)
Mensaje de Arecibo: a medio siglo del primer ping cósmico (Este País)
The Last Arecibo Message Team
Kelvy D. Palencia-Torres
Luis R. Rivera Gabriel
Lizmarie Mateo Roubert
Germán Vázquez Pérez
Javier García Sepulveda
Cesar Quiñones Martínez
Contact Prof. Abel Méndez for questions or more information.