Blind Lake - Wilson, Robert Charles (epub, mobi)

At Blind Lake, a large federal research installation in northern Minnesota, scientists are using quantum computers to watch everyday life in a city of aliens upon a distant planet. They can't contact the aliens in any way or understand their language. All they can do is watch.

Then, without warning, a military cordon is imposed on the Blind Lake site. All communication with the outside world is cut off. Food and other vital supplies are delivered by remote control. No one knows why.

Blind Lake is a 2004 Hugo Award Nominee for Best Novel.