We have beamed messages to extraterrestrial
intelligence
mostly to far-off locations: 13, 15, 16, 21, 21, 30, 33,
37, 41, 41, 41, 41, 46, 52, 56, 56, 58, 58, 58, 68, 69,
70, 250, 431, 25000 light years away. Only 6 locations
out of total 25 were nearer than 30 light years. (see
link1)
However,
we seem to have never sent any messages to
our closest stellar sun-like companions (4.3, 4.3, 10, 12,
16, 19, 20, 24, 26, 29 light years away), which were
chosen as primary targets for the cancelled "Terrestrial
Planet Finder" program. There are at least 4 promising
places nearer than 12 light years away. (see link2)
The idea is simply, to use METI methodology to probe for
life in these close sun-like stars, which were primary
targets for TPF. We won't find microbial life, but the
possibility of finding intelligent life cannot be ruled out,
except for the youngest stars in the list.
Nearer distances mean less scattering of our signal, and
higher likelihood of being able to communicate.
And, we just might have some results as soon as in 8.6
years!