Bebo Transmits Pictures and Notes to Distant Planets

We always knew Bebo was popular as a youth social networking hotspot. Turns out its ambitions are more intergalactic than that.

It has been the moving spirit behind transmitting a digital time capsule in the direction of an Earth-like planet 20.5 light years away. The planet is known as Gliese 581 C. Scientists are hoping that it bears life given its average temperatures hover between 0 and 40 degree Celsius - ideal for the presence of liquid water. But the Bebo community is not going to wait to find out if life exists out there or not, it is willing to take a gamble and initiate contact.

The time capsule includes 501 notes, pictures and drawings voted on by the Bebo community. High profile celebrities such as Gillian Anderson of the X-files fame have also been active in this venture.

Anderson's contribution was an image of Obama representing goodness on Earth.

Other pictures include those of landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and well known figures such as Punch and Judy. Many people submitted notes describing their likes and dislikes hoping to share more about us with alien civilizations.

It'll be a while before we can gauge the success of the enterprise. The capsule is not expected to hit its target till 2029. If Gillian Anderson believes the truth is out there, who we are to differ?