Astronomers² would like to beam the entire contents of Wikipedia into space in the hope of contacting aliens.

 

They want to send messages to hundreds of star systems and planets 20 light years away using radio telescopes.

 

The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute, in California, wants to use powerful radio telescopes to try to reachChewbacca and his mates in a galaxy³ far far away.

 

The plans will be discussed by astronomers at the weekend as some scientists fear a reply from ET might not turn out to be friendly.

 

Institute astrophysicist David Black said: "One question is if there are predators⁴ we might be drawing attention to ourselves. Another is if we go ahead, what message should be sent?

 

"There could be many civilisations out there but if they are all listening and no one is broadcasting then nothing will happen."

 

Professor Stephen Hawking⁵ is among those who has warned that although intelligent aliens probably exist we should give them a wide berth⁶.

 

"If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Columbus landed in America which didn’t turn out well for the native Americans," he said.

 

Signals from Earth’s radio and TV transmissions have been heading out in space for around 60 years reaching around 5,000 stars.

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