- The Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau has launched a campaign targeting potential alien visitors by sending a message to the star system TRAPPIST-1.
- TRAPPIST-1 was chosen due to its proximity and the presence of Earth-like planets, with the message containing unique elements of Lexington culture and an invitation to visit.
- The transmission will take around 40 years to reach its destination, with another 40 years needed for a possible response, meanwhile Earthly visitors can leave notes for the extraterrestrials.
Intergalactic Invitation: Kentucky’s Cosmic Campaign
What if I told you that Kentucky is reaching for the stars—quite literally—in their latest tourism initiative? The Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, also known as VisitLEX, has boldly ventured into the final frontier with a wink and a nod, targeting none other than extraterrestrial beings with their latest campaign. By harnessing the cosmic curiosity following the recent congressional UFO hearings, they’ve decided to ping the cosmos with an invitation to Earth, with Kentucky as the front porch.
A Message to TRAPPIST-1
Focusing their sights on TRAPPIST-1, a mere 40 light years away, our Kentucky friends have sent an infrared signal filled with binary code towards the constellation. This particular star system, home to several potentially habitable planets, has become the target of Earth’s latest cosmic greeting card. The transmission isn’t your average “hello” though; it’s loaded with Lexington’s finest offerings, from vibrant photos to the soulful tunes of blues maestro Tee Dee Young, even bits of bourbon culture and a bitmap image summarizing the transmission’s origin and purpose.
Earth: Not Just a Flyover Planet
As Robert Lodder, a chemist and Kentucky professor, mused to The Washington Post, people often skim over Kentucky on their travels across the United States. But with this initiative, Kentucky is making a play to be on the galactic map—not just as a destination for terrestrial travelers but for interstellar ones as well. The message, catapulted from the Kentucky Horse Park, seeks to extend a warm Southern welcome to any space-faring voyagers with a curiosity about our little blue planet.
The Long Wait for an RSVP
VisitLEX President Mary Quinn Ramer passionately claims Lexington to be the “best place on Earth,” an ideal starting point for any cosmic tourists. Yet, patience will be a virtue for those eagerly awaiting an extraterrestrial reply. The outbound message is on a 40-year trajectory to TRAPPIST-1, which means it will take a full 80 years for us to potentially hear back—if our celestial neighbors are listening and inclined to respond.
Earthlings Can Join the Fun
In the meantime, the humans of Earth aren’t left out of this interstellar exchange. Visitors to Lexington can view the artifacts associated with this historic initiative and contribute their own messages, creating a time capsule of sorts for our potential visitors from the stars.
Jon’s Take
So there you have it, my terrestrial friends, Kentucky is sending a cosmic ‘Howdy!’ to any interstellar passersby. It’s a long shot, sure, but in a universe bristling with mysteries, who’s to say there aren’t curious travelers among the stars, looking for a new place to explore? And let’s face it, the idea of aliens sipping on Kentucky bourbon is a delightful thought. As we anxiously await a cosmic plus-one RSVP, remember, the truth isn’t just out there—it’s right here, sometimes even with a side of bluegrass and bourbon.
