Editor’s note: Even though astronomers are saying this is likely of a terrestrial origin, I would say, given it’s news out of Russia, that this is soft-disclosure.
A fascinating ‘strong radio signal’ originating from a Star much like our sun has astronomers baffled who are checking whether or not this signal is evidence of an advanced extraterrestrial civilization nestled in the Constellation Hercules.
A Russian Observatory intercepted a mysterious signal; Its origin is unknown.
The newly found signal –which originated from a distant sun-like star— has SETI researchers excited.
Even though the enigmatic signal discovered by scientists at Russia’s RATAN-600 radio telescope — located in Zelenchukskaya, southern Russia— was intercepted in May of 2015, for an unknown reason the discovery was not made public until recently. Interestingly, according to SETI’s leading astronomer Seth Shostak is extremely interesting.
During an interview with GeekWire, Shostak explained that the ideal scenario when intercepting such a signal would be for another independent telescope to confirm the discovery.
The Search For Extra Terrestrial Intelligence is gathering its ‘troops’ who will investigate the enigmatic star known as HD 164595 in the constellation Hercules with the Boquete Optical SETI Observatory in Panama.
While extraterrestrial intelligence cannot be excluded at the moment, another more plausible scenario is that the signal is the result of ‘microlensing’ a phenomenon that occurs when a star’s gravity focuses singles that originated elsewhere.
However, if it is Aliens –which we still don’t know— then we could be looking at an extremely advanced alien civilization, one that cannot be compared to ours, at least not technologically speaking.
According to Paul Gilster who reported the discovered on Centauri Dreams:
Paul Gilster, who reported the find on Centauri Dreams, says, “Working out the strength of the signal, the researchers say that if it came from an isotropic beacon, it would be a power possible only for a Kardashev Type II civilization. If it were a narrow beam signal focused on our Solar System, it would be a power available to a Kardashev Type I civilization.”
According to researchers, the star in question has around 4.500 million of years and has at least ONE exoplanet orbiting it every forty days. Astronomerbelieveve there could be other planets orbiting the mysterious star that have so far evaded detection.
While many people want the signal to be of extraterrestrial origin, Shostak warns we must remain cautious, not jumping to conclusions.
“The signal may be real, but I suspect it’s not ET,” he told GeekWire.
According to newsweek.com, the International Academy of Astronautics’s SETI Permanent Committee will discuss the research at a meeting scheduled for September 27, during the 67th International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Speaking to Ars Technica, Nick Suntzeff, a Texas A&M University astronomer says: “God knows who or what broadcasts at 11 GHz, and it would not be out of the question that some sort of bursting communication is done between ground stations and satellites,” he told Ars Technica, explaining that the signal was observed in the radio spectrum used by the military. “I would follow it if I were the astronomers, but I would also not hype the fact that it may be at SETI signal given the significant chance it could be something military.”
All of the above means that while the signal is of extreme interest to astronomers, it is very likely –as always— that there is a far more ‘terrestrial’ explanation than extraterrestrial as many are hoping.
