. - . ._ ..
.. - .. ._ ....
... - .. ._ .....
It should be obvious from the above that - means "plus" and that ._ means "equals".
Anderson continues:
. 1
.. 2
... 3
.... 4
..... 5
...... 6
....... 7
........ 8
Even to anyone unfamiliar with Arabic numerals, it should be obvious that the symbols in the right hand column are the names of the numbers.
11 - 8 HO
Is it also obvious that:
11 means "two atoms of the first element (hydrogen)";
8 means "one atom of the eighth element (oxygen)";
- means again "plus" or "added to";
HO means "one molecule of the compound (water)?
I find that third example less obvious but I am not a scientist interpreting a radio message from scientists in another planetary system.
1 comment:
Hi, Paul!
And your comments here reminded me of Anderson's story "The Word to Space," about the difficulties Earth scientists, including a Jesuit priest descended from Sherlock Holmes arch enemy, had trying to communicate with aliens after using a system like the one you described. A theocracy ruling the aliens was interested only in trying to convert humans to its faith; and had little interest in talking about science.
Sean
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