TRAPPIST

The year was 2019. Earth was as you know it.

Emergent technologies coincided with political and religious dogma. Rockets sailed into deep space as people killed each other senselessly.

There was bickering as usual, over politicians, over money, over about everything there was to bicker about.

Things hadnt changed. It seemed like they never would.



In the summer of 2019 a new era of space based observation was put in place. On August 15, 2019, NASA's James-Webb telescope was successfully launched into an orbit around the Sun, similar to the orbit of the SOHO satellites.

The James-Webb telescope was a marvelous piece of artwork, it wasnt just a machine. Large gold plated hexagonal mirrors; it dwarfed the size of the Hubble telescope.

The hope was that it would be powerful enough in the sense of light collecting, that combined with near infrared imaging, we would be able to take a great new step in regard to our search for Earth-like planets.


Humanity was not fully prepared for what would transpire within a year's time.


The researchers at NASA commenced full systems operation of the behemoth telescope in October of 2019. All systems were deemed nominal and it appeared to be ready for the true test.

It did not disappoint.


Over 100 nearby planetary targets, planets that had been previously catalogued thanks to the Kepler project, were observed.

Data streamed in like a monsoon and scientists privy to the initial data, around the world, were in absolute awe.

They methodically combed through the data of each planet. Precise measurements of atmospheric composition were established within days.

Nitrogen rich atmospheres, atmospheres with mostly CO2 likes Mars, methane signatures, even an atmosphere that was almost entirely ozone.

The findings were creating a buzz in the scientific community, and indeed the entire world, once the first findings were publically released in December of 2019.




In early 2020, NASA took on its next observational target for the James-Webb to turn its gaze toward.


The system designated as TRAPPIST-1.


The system created a stir in popular culture years prior because the system was not only identified as having 7 rocky planets that were close in size to Earth, but there was also speculation that at least one of the planets could be within what is known as the "habitable zone" of its host star.

This was exciting news to NASA and onlooking scientists. They knew the star system was different than our solar system, as the host star is much cooler, smaller, and dimmer than our Sun. The reason why researchers believed one or more of the orbiting planets could be habitable is because these seven planets all orbit much closer to their host star, a red dwarf, than ours. In fact, all seven planets orbit TRAPPIST-1 closer than Mercury does to our Sun.




The idea of multiple planets orbiting their star within a week's time seemed mind bending to many, but the Universe has a way of making us raise an eyebrow sometimes.





The first week of data gathering and analysis by NASA and by other groups was beyond expectation.

They discovered that not one, but two planets, TRAPPIST E and TRAPPIST F, were of extreme interest; moreso than any planet previously observed.

TRAPPIST E was described to be likely similar to equatorial climates on Earth. The analysis showed what appeared to be an estimated 29 degrees celcius average temperature, as well as an atmospheric pressure of roughly .83 atm (83% the atmospheric pressure at sea level on Earth) on the surface.

The atmosphere, they said, was composed mainly of Nitrogen, Oxygen, and water vapor. This was exciting news, as these compounds are no stranger to Earth, as they make up the vast majority of Earth's atmosphere. The presence of oxygen in the atmosphere was especially inspiring, as it indicated that not only could humans potentially go there and survive without oxygen supplementation, it also indicated a possibility of life.

The presence of water vapor in such high quantities also showed researchers the likelihood of an oceanic presence.



TRAPPIST F was deemed by the media talking heads as "a second Earth".

The planet is nearly the same diameter as Earth, and showed signs of nearly identical atmospheric conditions to Earth's.

A crisp 23 degree celcius average temp. Mainly nitrogen, with slightly lower average amounts of oxygen, methane, CO2, and water vapor, with an estimated atmospheric pressure of just slightly under 1 Earth atmosphere.



People around the world were abuzz with excitement about the findings. Could these planets be a place for people to go some day? What's more, was life there?


It didn't take long for the whole world to stop dead in its tracks, mouth agape, like a helpless turtle swept up in the rip current.





Six months after the findings of TRAPPIST E and F were publically announced, in July of 2020, the world came to a standstill.

I still remember that day, in all its profundity. I think everyone will remember July 2, 2020. There really are no words to describe the feeling I had, the "vibe" as some call it. Hundreds of millions of us, watching television.

It didnt matter what time of day it was or where you were. Night, day, at work, or having a pint at the pub with friends. Everyone was watching and listening intently.


At approximately 7:00 EST, virtually every news station, including a smattering of other stations, were tuned into the same conference.

It was a small auditorium it seemed, but it was packed with journalists from around the world, as well as a number of world leaders and well known businessmen, Elon Musk being one of them.

You could see Musk grinning ear to ear. He knew already.

A stately gentleman walked down an aisle toward the podium. He was escorted by six heavily armed guards, wearing full body armor, wielding rifles, as journalists murmered excitedly. It was absolutely surreal.

What in God's name was this about, so many thought.


The stately gentleman casually waved off the guards with a smile as he approached the podium.


"Hello everyone. I do hope you are well today. My name is Seth Shostak and I am the Senior Astronomer for the SETI institute."


As soon as he said this, my face, my actual face went numb. I felt this unbelievable sensation of awe, as I put two and two together. The head of SETI, a world wide broadcast announcement, armed guards, the TRAPPIST findings six months prior. Some people at the bar I was at still hadn't figured it out, what was about to wash over them, a historical info tsunami, the likes of which no one had ever seen before.

I almost cried. A profound sense of excitement, joy, and fear enveloped me.



Mr. Shostak, as calm as ever, continued.


"Before I continue, to some of our viewers, I have been told to offer this advice before I proceed. You may want to take a seat if you are standing and watching this."


Mr. Shostak looked down at his notes, and cleared his throat.


"At approximately 10:00 Greenwhich mean time, on June 27th, 2020, our instruments picked up a transmission in the radio frequency band of very significant interest to us."


At this point, everyone was silent at the bar, and I presume around the world. They now knew what was coming.




"Our scientists and researchers around the world, including NASA, were given the raw data to analyze and confirm the analysis we provided them" said Shostak.



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Continued below.
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a reply to: CreationBro

Shostak spoke candidly.

"We received numerous, reputable, independent conclusions. We now have a unanimous consensus on the origin and nature of this radio transmission."



Mr. Shostak glanced at his notes again. You could tell he had been waiting for this moment for over a lifetime.


"The transmission we picked up, originated from what has been designated as the TRAPPIST-1 system."



I was glued to the TV. I dont think I was even pouring my beer into my mouth at this point, but rather, all over my self.


"The nature of this transmission is of profound significance and of interest to the entirety of humanity" Shostak exclaimed lightly.



"The transmission itself was much like any radio transmission you receive from your favorite radio station. As such, it was easy to decypher the tranmission and reach a unanimous conclusion thanks to many leading institutions world wide."


Shostak took a deep breath.


"Here we go."

He smiled slightly.


"The content of the transmission is a brief transcript in 30 known languages from Earth, including 3 unknown languages. Please be reminded that the origin of this transcipt is by way of radio transmission from the star system TRAPPIST-1."


Shostak continued.


"The transcript translates in each of the known languages as follows:

'Humanity. We are aware of your existence and of your home world you call Earth. Recently, your kind has discovered, to accurate degree, our two home worlds. Of what you call the TRAPPIST-1 system.

We acknowledge you and your kind. We acknowledge your Sol system and your Earth. Within protocol, we respect and honor the sovereignty of your system, your planet, by your kind.

We ask for your acknowledgement of our sovereignty, our system, of our planets, by our kinds. We are comprised of three intelligent species. Two originating from what you call TRAPPIST E. One from TRAPPIST F.

We await your response in earnest.' "





End

Just to make you raise an eyebrow.


Seth Shostak: We Will Find Aliens in the Next Two Decades

a reply to: CreationBro

This is my first internet critique of a writing.

I liked your premise, I would like to see where the story would go.

You are writing like it is a cartoon... or a graphic novel. As an avid reader, please fill in all the spaces, places and environments that you are in charge of making me believe I am a part of.

You are empathetic. But the delivery is... off.

I personally think that you have a fine idea. It just needs fleshed out.

I have also never written anything that I am willing to share. So cudos for you on that.

Just a humble opinion of something that I think shows promise.

a reply to: Lumenari

An honest critique thank you.


Yea it was just something I threw together on my phone, had an idea and was mulling it over today.

To be completely honest its actually somewhat of a motion picture idea so id want to corroborate with at least a couple other writers to fill in those blanks that you have mentioned.

The story leads to first contact with these three e.t. races from trappist-1. Sixty representatives from Earth are brought to the Trappist home planets, where we learn about their technology, how they found us, how long theyve known about us, environmental and other issues they as a people currently face, along with eventual revelations about a greater picture of the Milky Way galaxy and life therein.

There is also a plot twist regarding the concern behind the Trappist peoples and other e.t. races from other planets, about the rapidity of humanity's technological progress, including an admission by something like a group of planetary chancellors admitting that they fear our planet has been guided by an ancient, once thought extinct race of peoples that, of all places, came from Mars millions of years ago.

The idea involves what these current interplanetary races call "the old era" during a time (millions of years prior) when there was a different galactic order, including an infamous species from a planet called Mars; a wickedly intelligent and ambitious race that eventually made the mistake of integrating an "organic artifical intelligence" with themselves, leading to unforeseen consquences, including time/dimensional travel, as well as the eventual environmental demise of their home planet Mars.

The idea is that these current e.t. races are fearful that one or more of these "mutant martians" are traveling through time and dimensions to influence affairs on current Earth, with potentially dire consequences for the environment and life as we know it on Earth, and potentially beyond.


Thanks again for the feedback.

Personally, I was quite impressed with your presentation.

Had the hairs on the back of my neck sticking up.

Google TESS.

It goes up next month. It is specifically looking for transiting planets. Since it will be up before JWST they will be used in conjunction.

Too bad all the science will take time. Did you see the amuture astronomer find a super nova? That photo was from 2016 and the paper was only just published last week. It will take at least a year before a press conference would be held.

I do like the story! I acknowledge TRAPPIST E and F rights!

a reply to: TEOTWAWKIAIFF

Thank you both for reading and the compliments. Many thanks!

a reply to: CreationBro

Thanks for writing it!

As the neutron star merger gaff points out, social media throws a monkey wrench into the works. Even SETI's protocol is more of a guidance than how disclosure would work. I suppose the UN's protocol would work but that assumes the Secretary General gets involved from the start. A tweet or a snapchat would probably end any chance of "keeping a lid on it"!!

Nice story CreationBro.

Thanks to the link in the other Trappist thread.

originally posted by: blackcrowe
Nice story CreationBro.

Thanks to the link in the other Trappist thread.

Thank you for taking the time to read, as well as for the compliment. Cheers.

originally posted by: CreationBro

originally posted by: blackcrowe
Nice story CreationBro.

Thanks to the link in the other Trappist thread.

Thank you for taking the time to read, as well as for the compliment. Cheers.

I never read the Short Stories.

But i had to from your link.

No criticism here. I enjoyed it for what it is.

I'll be waiting for the sequel.