时差N小时 假设有一天接收到外星人的信号(上)

Suppose one day scientists pick up a transmission they think is generated by aliens.

假设有一天，科学家收到外星人发来的信号。

Now what? Do we build a landing strip and break out the welcome wagon¹?

我们该怎么办？我们要不要建一个飞碟着陆跑道，用迎宾车欢迎它们?

Well here's the thing about picking up alien broadcasts.

关于接收到外来广播的原委是这样的。

The receivers scientists are currently using to listen to space noise are designed to find constant signals, or signals that are pulsing at regular intervals².

科学家们目前使用的空间噪声接收器被设计用来寻找恒定的信号，或者那些间隔有规律的脉冲信号。

But any message carried by these signals would probably be lost because the receivers can't pick up the modulation³, or rapid variations, in the base signal.

但是这些信号所携带的任何信息都有可能丢失，因为接收器在信号基地无法收集到变调或快速变化的信号。

The SETI institute, which searches for extra terrestrial life, has compared picking up a signal's modulation to picking up the sound of a flute⁴ when it's masked by the noise of a waterfall.

专门寻找外星生命的SETI研究院将接收到信号的变调和被瀑布声掩盖的笛声进行了比较。

1 wagon   

n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车

参考例句：

• We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
• The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。

2 intervals   

n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息

参考例句：

• The forecast said there would be sunny intervals and showers. 预报间晴，有阵雨。
• Meetings take place at fortnightly intervals. 每两周开一次会。

3 modulation   

n.调制

参考例句：

• The soft modulation of her voice soothed the infant. 她柔和的声调使婴儿安静了。
• Frequency modulation does not allow static to creep in. 频率调制不允许静电干扰混入。

4 flute   

n.长笛；v.吹笛

参考例句：

• He took out his flute, and blew at it.他拿出笛子吹了起来。
• There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.有很多供长笛演奏的曲目。