Hack the Galaxy: See the World From a Different Perspective
Tags: hackathon, fintech, payments, community
Published: 2022-05-19 23:22:06

We’re not alone in the universe. I’m convinced beyond a doubt. The Drake Equation, one of the most famous equations in science, has convinced me we’re not alone. It describes the probability of an alien civilization existing somewhere in the stars. According to this equation, there should be hundreds, if not thousands of alien civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy alone. 

And yet there’s silence. This silence is actually called the Fermi Paradox, which basically asks the question: Where is the evidence for aliens if the universe is so large? No one has found any answers.  

But there are groups out there today who are determined to find out if humanity is really alone. They’re called the SETI Institute. 

## Looking for Signs of Intelligent Life

The SETI Institute was originally founded in the mid 1980s. SETI stands for the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. They use radio telescopes with the hope that they will intercept a signal from an exterrestrial source. 

Explaining the origin of life on Earth is one of the biggest mysteries out there. We could be one step closer to answering that mystery if we found evidence of life somewhere in the universe. So far, Earth is the only place we know of that hosts life.  

The SETI Institute has their own group of radio telescopes called the Allen Telescope Array. They use multiple telescopes that are synchronized to each other, which allows them to scan large parts of the sky at once.

While we’re talking about interesting signals from outer space, we can’t forget about the WOW signal. In 1977, scientists at the Big Ear Radio Observatory at Ohio State University received a narrowband signal from outer space. It lasted just over a minute. But the data showed how the signal increased in power, and then decreased. The signal never returned. 

Now what makes this signal so special? Most radio signals emitted from objects in outer space like planets or stars often emit radio waves with a lower frequency. The general thought is that an advanced civilization would use high frequency waves to transmit messages over vast distances.  

But why the focus on radio telescopes? SETI knows that listening to signals is a lot easier than trying to invent faster-than-light travel. They are searching for the simplest solutions to their problems. Instead of using one large telescope, they used several smaller ones. This turned out to be cheaper and more effective. SETI has tried to “hack” the search for alien life every step of the way. 

## Looking for Signs of Intelligent Life (on Earth)

Developers are a lot like scientists. We like to solve problems and use the simplest solutions. This approach makes a lot of sense. Why work harder when you can work smarter?

But the connections between fintech and science go deeper than that. When scientists search for signs of life in the universe, they are searching for a connection. Fintech allows businesses from around the world to form connections and create opportunities for a global impact. 

With the launch of Rapyd’s [Hack the Galaxy](https://www.hackthegalaxy.dev/) contest, developers from around the globe will have the chance to connect with others and compete for prizes that are out of this world! Rapyd wants to find out who is the smartest fintech developer in the galaxy. Hack the Galaxy gives Rapyd the opportunity to search for signs of intelligent life (on Earth). Do you have what it takes to win? 

## What is Hack the Galaxy? 

Hack the Galaxy is an online competition taking place in the Rapyd Developer Community, in addition to virtual hackathons and live events. Hack the Galaxy is for fintech developers to connect and build friendships with other developers. It’s also a place for developers to have fun  and gain bragging rights for their problem solving skills.
 
There are a few different components to Hack the Galaxy: 

* The first part is a series of Hackathons. Rapyd’s first Hackathon launched on [devpost](https://hackthegalaxy.devpost.com/) and ends on May 26th! For this competition, developers are challenged with creating the galaxy’s best checkout experience. Additional Hackathons will be launched throughout the year. The challenge for the next Hackathon will be announced in a few weeks. Rapyd is giving away $1M in cash and prizes to crown the greatest fintech developer. Winners will be able to attend Rapyd Demo Days in Lisbon, Portugal to present their projects to a live audience of other developers. 

* The second part of Hack the Galaxy is…well you’ll just have to wait and see on June 7th. Go check out [Hack the Galaxy](https://www.hackthegalaxy.dev/) for more information. 

Maybe you’ll see the world from a different perspective.