Patterns in Perception of a Simulated Message from Space

Between March and June 2024, we conducted a pilot project as a follow up to A Sign in Space. The initial project consisted in receiving a simulated extra-terrestrial message that was transmitted towards Earth, with a community of citizen scientists working on decoding the message. The message image was widely studied, and there were a total of 285 active interpreters from various cultural and social backgrounds. The rich collection of interpretation data allows us to explore how humans in general and those from various countries responded to the message. What patterns emerged in the responses? What were the salient aspects of the message? We next ask if this is particular to humans or do other species recognize patterns in the message?