Aussies to Zap Text Messages at Mystery Planet

An Australian science magazine is soliciting text messages to send to a mysterious planet more than 20 light-years away, Space.com reports. Called "Hello from Earth," the project aims to transmit 160-character missives to Gliese 581d, a so-called "Super Earth" discovered 2 years ago. "Will we get a reply? No one knows," says a Cosmos magazine editor. "But why don't we send a message and find out?"

Messages are already pouring in, including:

• "We're trying to get over wars [on] our planet, but greed is greater than our dreams. Lots of us know that this is wrong and won't give up!"
• "We're a company ... looking to extend our market ... any opportunity to do some business with you? Special price for you!

Messages can be sent to HelloFromEarth.net for the Aug. 24 transmission.

(More extraterrestrial life stories.)