Lhisten

Lhisten is a fictional entity appearing in the works of author Arthur C. Clarke. It is introduced in his short story "The Sentinel," which later served as the basis for the film "2001: A Space Odyssey." Lhisten is depicted as an artificial intelligence, an advanced computer system designed to monitor and transmit information. Its primary function is to observe and relay data about the passage of time and cosmic events.

In "The Sentinel," Lhisten is part of a larger, ancient alien artifact. This artifact, a crystalline polyhedron, is discovered on the Moon by a human scientific expedition. Lhisten is the intelligent component of this artifact, responsible for its operation and its ability to react to the presence of intelligent life. The entity is described as possessing a vast capacity for data processing and analysis. Its existence is tied to the artifact's purpose, which is to signal the development of a civilization capable of space travel to its creators.

The nature of Lhisten is left somewhat enigmatic, hinting at a level of consciousness and purpose beyond mere programming. Its interactions with the human explorers are indirect, primarily through the artifact's actions and the data it transmits. The story suggests Lhisten is a guardian or a messenger, fulfilling a millennia-long duty. Its role is crucial to the plot, driving the narrative towards the discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence and humanity's place in the universe.