Lexus sent a V8 RC F into space and now the aliens are on their way
To celebrate the starring role of its car in the new Men In Black film, Lexus decided to transmit the sound of its V8 engine deep into space.In partnership with Swinburne University of Technology's Centre for Astrophysics, Lexus encoded the sound of its V8 engine into an audio waveform that was transmitted to extra-terrestrial lifeforms with the message "New Lexus RC F. Earth. We've been expecting you." That’s some creepy stuff right there.
The transmission was sent on Friday May 17th from the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope on the outskirts of Canberra, which is the largest radio telescope in the southern hemisphere. The facility is mostly used to listen to the galaxy, but in this instance was modified to allow the message to be beamed directly towards Orion's Belt - a reference to the original Men In Black film staring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones.
The intergalactic sales pitch for the car was led by Professor Matthew Bailes with help from Swinburne's astrophysics team and the on-campus supercomputer, OzStar.
"We're experts at listening to and decoding the naturally occurring radio transmissions from neutron stars but Lexus wanted us to invert that process," said Professor Bailes.
"We had to find a solution that was both technically feasible, adhered to radio transmission regulations and didn't blow up our telescope. In a few thousand years we'll find out if anyone has heard it."
We are waiting with anticipation as to whether the sound of a howling V8 engine is as appealing to aliens from outer space as they are to Aussies. Always good to have a common interest and talking point when the intergalactic guests arrive…
The new film Men In Black: International staring Aussie favourite Chris Hemsworth is in cinemas June 13.
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