The next step--and it’s a big one--is to learn the dolphin language. The high-pitched, high-speed chatter must be broken down into definite meanings. Dr. Frank D. Drake, director of Project Ozma (the recent attempt to receive possible messages by radio telescope), considers the dolphin language study to be of great importance. He says the project “needs the skills of the radio astronomer in extracting signals from noise, and then the work of the linguist, and, perhaps, the cryptographer. It could well be, if the dolphin studies are correct, that we have right here on earth another intelligent race that is even more alien than some we might encounter in space.” * * * * * Second, there is the problem of interpreting and transmitting information through radio communication. In April, 1960, Project Ozma was launched. The 85-foot radio telescope of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, W. Va., was focused by government scientists on two stars in an attempt to pick up artificially produced signals. The stars were Tau Ceti and Epsilon Eridani, 11 light-years or about 66 trillion miles away. They were chosen because they were similar to our own sun in size and rate of rotation. The frequency at which natural hydrogen emits radio energy in space is 1,420 megacycles, and thus it is a universal constant. Dr. Drake tuned the receiver on both sides of this band. Day after day the impulses were transmitted to a pen that traced erratic lines on a moving paper roll. But no repetitive pattern appeared that would indicate deliberate signals. Early in 1961 it was announced that Project Ozma was being suspended. It is expected to be resumed when the new 600-foot radio telescope is completed. The failure of Project Ozma to receive a message during a few months in operation is no surprise. In fact, it would not be a surprise if no signals were received during daily operation for a millennium. There are known to be at least 100 quintillion stars. Focusing on one random star in the hope it has a planet having intelligent life beaming signals in our direction is like trying to find a specific drop of water in the ocean. When a reporter during Project Ozma asked if there was any word from our remote fellow creatures, one scientist told him to come back in 10,000 years. Yet certain factors may improve these chances. Advanced beings might periodically check the solar systems nearest them to see if they have company. It is not unreasonable to suppose that there is regular cosmic conversation between greatly developed cultures, and if we could detect a channel we might be able to plug in on the party line. We can only hope, however, that they are using a method we can detect. Man has only recently emerged from savagery and is only beginning to look beyond his little world. To the cosmic callers, our most advanced equipment might be as primitive as smoke signals are to us.