SETI in the Mon Valley Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

drossdross: I'm going to archive this cache to make way for a new cache that should be up and running in the next few days. Thanks to everyone that visited, and to all the cachers who helped keep this cache safe.

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Hidden : 7/2/2006
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


The given coordinates will not lead you to this cache. If you don’t like puzzle caches, turn back NOW. This cache is solved with a computer. The actual fieldwork on this cache is an easy park and grab – though the cache site is unique and worth the quick visit.


Despite their claim to support a couple of picture formats, the geocaching.com site automatically converts pictures of these formats into jpg format, altering the picture and damaging the needed information. Thus, you will need to visit the following site for the need and uncorrupted picture:

PICTURE

If possible, keep to the theme of this cache for trades: rockets, space, aliens, etc. For example, the cache starts off with nerf rockets, glow-in-the-dark star and planet stickers, alien dolls, phaser water pistols, and the like. But now, on with the story . . .
The lowly funded, but enthusiastic, Monongahela River Valley Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, SETI in the Mon Valley (aka, lookin’ for space people from the Mon), has systematically searched the sky for sign of intelligence “out there”. Highly focused deep space photographs (of wavelengths from ultraviolet to X-ray) are taken, digitized, and then analyzed using many, many complex computer algorithms, and incredibly impressive computing power – for more number crunching on any one location than any man or women could ever do in a lifetime.

Until recently, no picture had ever triggered a warning (confidence >0.25%). But the attached picture changed all that. Algorithm 235711 results in 97.8% confidence of intelligence (the previous record was 0.13%). Algorithm 235711 is a visual wavelength analysis. Despite the best efforts of SETI in the Mon Valley personnel, we can’t figure out what’s special about this picture. Repeated checks seem to rule out errors, but the reason the picture yields such a high confidence is totally unclear. The computer algorithms repeatedly kick it out as truly unique with clear signs of intelligence. Frustrated, SETI in the Mon Valley is asking for help from anyone willing to examine this picture. Good luck.
(The picture is all you need. Nothing useful is buried in the cache page html. There are multiple ways to solve this puzzle – no specific piece of software is needed, though many may prove useful.)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Small Hint:] ORFVQR N EBPX [Big Hint:] BX, ORFVQR N IREL OOOVVVTTT EBPX

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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