We Sent A Signal To Make Contact With Aliens On A Distant 'Super Earth'

Humanity's first contact with aliens could be a breezy 24 years away. We sent a signal to an Earth-like planet that may host life – and we sent them a mixtape. 

The project, called "Sónar Calling GJ 273b," is a team effort led by the Sónar music festival in collaboration with METI (Messaging to Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) International and the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia in Spain. Following is a transcript of the video.

Humans just tried to contact intelligent aliens.

On Oct. 16, 17, and 18 a team of musicians and scientists sent a message to aliens. They sent the message via radio waves and transmitted it 9 different times. This helps ensure that all the information reaches its destination

What's in the message?

Thirty-three musical pieces, each 10 seconds long, a tutorial on how humans keep time, and when we will be listening for a response.

The message is headed for a nearby exoplanet named GJ 273b. GJ 273b is what astronomers call a "Super Earth".

It's slightly more massive than Earth and is within its star's habitable zone. GJ 273b is a good candidate for alien life.

This is the first radio message of its kind designed for a direct response at a specific time. GJ 273b lives in another star system 12 light years away.

That means if intelligent life responds we could make first contact in just 24 years.