Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Orion imagines an astronaut using a handmade instrument to communicate with an alien intelligence. The premise connects to a real question—whether music could help encode an interstellar message—but not to an established first-contact method. SETI researchers listen for possible signals; deliberately sending messages is a separate activity, and no extraterrestrial signal has been confirmed.
What happens in Orion—and what is fiction?
Tech Times describes Orion as a psychological science-fiction thriller starring Andrew McCarthy and Drew Van Acker. In its account, Van Acker’s character, Apollo, is recovered after a spacecraft crash with memory loss and uses a handmade instrument to communicate with an alien intelligence. These are reported plot details, not evidence about real space communication. Tech Times reported a U.S. theatrical opening on October 2, 2026, following a FilmQuest 2025 premiere; release details can change. Tech Times’ report on Orion
The instrument also raises a basic physics distinction. Sound is mechanical vibration: ordinary airborne sound cannot cross the vacuum between stars. A musical pattern could, in principle, be represented in a signal sent by some other means, such as radio, but that is different from the instrument’s sound physically traveling through space. The film’s reported premise does not establish a practical transmission mechanism.
What do SETI researchers actually propose?
SETI means the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. The SETI Institute says most searches use large antennas and radio telescopes to listen for signals from other star systems; some searches look for laser flashes. Deliberately sending a signal or message is generally called messaging extraterrestrial intelligence, or METI. A musical transmission project is therefore an example of messaging, not a SETI detection. SETI Institute: Frequently Asked Questions
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
One published proposal identified in Tech Times’ coverage is Douglas Vakoch’s “An Iconic Approach to Communicating Musical Concepts in Interstellar Messages.” The idea, as described in that coverage, is that mathematical relationships in music might offer a way to construct a message across cultural or species boundaries. That is a proposal about how a message might be designed—not proof that an extraterrestrial intelligence would perceive, enjoy, or decode human music as intended. Tech Times’ discussion of musical concepts in interstellar messages
Tech Times uses octave, fifth, and fourth frequency ratios as examples of physical relationships relevant to musical structure. Such relationships can be stated mathematically; their existence does not establish that all listeners would organize sound into the same musical experience. “Music might be a candidate structure” is a more defensible claim than “music is a universal language.”
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How music and messages have been sent or rehearsed
Sónar Calling GJ273b
Tech Times reports that METI International, the Sónar music festival, and the Catalonia Institute of Space Studies organized transmissions of musician-composed pieces toward Luyten’s Star, beginning in October 2017 and continuing with another transmission in May 2018. The report says the musical form carried scientific information. This documents a human attempt to send a message; it does not show that anything received it or understood it. Tech Times’ report on Sónar Calling GJ273b
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11The Voyager Golden Record
Tech Times reports that the record carried aboard the Voyager spacecraft in 1977 included 27 musical pieces from cultures around the world, alongside greetings, natural sounds, and images. The figure is attributed to that report. The record is a human-made artifact placed on spacecraft; its inclusion of music is not evidence that an extraterrestrial recipient has found or interpreted it. Tech Times’ report on the Voyager Golden Record
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
A Sign in Space
In a May 22, 2023 announcement, the SETI Institute described an exercise in which the European Space Agency’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter would transmit a simulated encoded message to Earth. The Allen Telescope Array, Green Bank Telescope, and Medicina radio observatory were to receive it, with the message made available for public decoding. The exercise rehearsed receiving and interpreting a signal; it was not a transmission to extraterrestrials or a detection from them. SETI Institute: A Sign in Space
Why a musical message is not the same as a musical sound
“Music” can refer to a pattern or structure, while “sound” is a physical vibration traveling through a medium. An interstellar message could encode a pattern that humans classify as musical, but the carrier would need to be something that crosses space, such as a radio signal or laser pulse—not ordinary airborne sound from an instrument.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Even if a signal arrived, detecting its presence would not automatically reveal its meaning. The SETI Institute notes that searches often look for narrow-band radio signals, and that receiver averaging can make rapid modulation—the changes that might encode a message—hard to detect. A sender might try to establish common ground with mathematics, science, or simple pictures, but an incidental signal could be difficult to interpret. SETI Institute: Frequently Asked Questions
What would count as evidence of contact?
The SETI Institute says no extraterrestrial signal has been confirmed. An unusual or compelling candidate is not enough on its own: repeat detection and observations by other observatories are important to establishing that a signal is real. Even confirmation of an artificial signal would be separate from understanding its contents.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
The International Academy of Astronautics’ SETI Permanent Committee lists detection, analysis, verification, announcement, and response among the subjects covered by its protocols. Its index notes a 2026 update to the Declaration of Principles, but the index alone does not establish the details of any specific response rule. IAA SETI Permanent Committee protocol index
Quick Recap
How to interpret the claim
- Fictional scene: Orion depicts a handmade instrument used in an alien encounter; that is a story premise.
- Research idea: Music’s mathematical structure has been proposed as a possible way to shape an interstellar message, without proof of universal interpretation.
- Human transmission: Projects such as Sónar Calling GJ273b and the Voyager record show people have included music or musical structure in messages intended for space.
- Confirmed contact: The SETI Institute reports no confirmed extraterrestrial signal.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
