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In 1924, the US Turned Off Their Radios to Search for Life on Mars
The public switched off their radios, while the Navy listened out for Martians.
In 1894, the public became excited by the idea too, after astronomer Percival Lowell suggested that Schiaparelli's observations showed canals that had been made by an alien civilization. After this, most astronomers were convinced the canals were an optical illusion, which was confirmed in 1964 when NASA probe Mariner IV showed there were no such features on the planet. During this time, astronomers kept an ear (and eyes) on the planet, while the US Government requested that all Navy outposts quieten their own radios to listen out for any potential communication from Martians.
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