Suppose That SETI Researchers Discovered a Radio Signal Coming from a Star

question 47

Multiple Choice

Suppose that SETI researchers discovered a radio signal coming from a star in the direction of the centre of the Milky Way that was about 10% closer to the centre than the Sun. If humans sent a reply to this signal immediately, and the aliens replied when they got our message, how long would it take before the alien reply reached Earth?

• A) a few years
• B) several decades
• C) thousands of years
• D) a few hundred years

---

Definitions:

Net Present Value

An assessment that measures the current value of a dollar against its future value, considering the effects of inflation and returns.

Market Rates

The prevailing interest rates available in the marketplace for loans and deposits, set by the dynamics of supply and demand.

Net Present Value

The disparity between the current value of cash coming in and the current value of cash going out over a certain time frame, employed in capital budgeting to evaluate an investment or project's profitability.

Independent Projects

Investment projects that do not affect each other’s outcomes or acceptability. Evaluating one does not impact the consideration of another.