Scientists claim strange ‘bubble smoke rings’ could be the key to finding extraterrestrial life

Marine mammals appear to communicate through them

In a recent Marine Mammal Science journal, Dr. Fred Sharpe and Dr. Laurance Doyle revealed their findings after a variety of peaceful oceanic giants were documented producing bubble rings while interacting with humans.

Researchers say this was the first time humpbacks have been observed approaching swimmers and boats before blowing watery halos as a potentially direct form of communication, and this knowledge could be applied to future extraterrestrial contact endeavours.

"Because of current limitations on technology, an important assumption of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is that extraterrestrial intelligence and life will be interested in making contact and so target human receivers," commented Dr. Doyle, a scientist from the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute.

"This important assumption is certainly supported by the independent evolution of curious behaviour in humpback whales."

Humpbacks are known to weaponise the bubble shapes as fish nets, yet this novel behaviour with humans seems unrelated to feeding, leading researchers to suggest it's conscious socialising.

Dr. Shape noted: "Humpback whales live in complex societies, are acoustically diverse, use bubble tools and assist other species being harassed by predators.

"Now... we show they are blowing bubble rings in our direction in an apparent attempt to playfully interact, observe our response, and/or engage in some form of communication."

Back in 2024, a team of scientists from Harvard and Montana Technological University hypothesised that aliens might already be living on Earth in deep underground bases and disguising themselves as us.

These intelligent beings could "exist in stealth here on Earth (e.g., underground), and/or its near environs (e.g., the Moon), and/or even 'walking among us' (e.g., passing as humans)," the paper read.

"While this notion may sound unlikely on first hearing, many observers are persuaded that it is at least conceivable, not least because whole swathes of our planet remain virtually unexplored and uncharted."

Featured image was made with AI.

Social image credit: The Whale Video Company