Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

A Signal from Space? SETI Investigating a "Strong Signal" from Sun-Like Star 95 Light Years Away

A Signal from Space? SETI Investigating a "Strong Signal" from Sun-Like Star 95 Light Years Away

[DIGEST: Observer, ABC]

Researchers with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Program (SETI) are investigating signal spikes emitting from a star in the constellation Hercules. The star, an estimated 6.3 billion years old, is 95 light years from Earth––about 500 trillion miles away. "We are talking about a message that left its star in 1920 and finally arrived in Russia in 2015," said Doug Vakoch, Ph.D., who works with METI International, a group that focuses on messaging extraterrestrial intelligence.


The Russian Academy of Science-operated RATAN-600 radio telescope in Zelenchukskaya, Russia picked up an unexplained blip in May last year, but scientists kept their findings secret from the international community. The news only made headlines after Centauri Dreams reporter Paul Gilster, who specializes in reports on interstellar space, broke the story from a document researchers circulated in which they announced the detection of "a strong signal in the direction of HDI64595."

Scientists believe HDI64595  is sun-like in nature, and that it might have a metallic composition nearly identical to our sun. The team also discovered a gaseous Neptune-like planet––HD 164595 b––in its orbit. That there could be other still undetected planets within this system is not outside the realm of possibility.

Credit: Source.

Claudio Maccone, an Italian SETI researcher and mathematician, leads the study along with Russia’s Nikolai Bursov of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. "Permanent monitoring of the target," they say, "is needed."

Alan Boyle, the author of The Case for Pluto, explained why: "The signal conceivably fits the profile for an international transmission from an extraterrestrial source," he said. "In any case, the blip is interesting enough to merit discussion by those who specialize in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence."

The signal's strength is powerful enough to indicate that if it does, in fact,

emanate from an isotropic beacon (a hypothetical type of transmission beacon that emits a uniform electromagnetic signal in all directions for communication with extraterrestrial intelligence), only a Kardashev Type II civilization would have built the power source. Researchers use the Kardashev scale to measure the amount of energy used to deliver an extraterrestrial message and to determine the progress of a civilization's technological development. According to theory, a Type II civilization would have the capability to harness the energy of their entire host star.

If extraterrestrial lifeforms beamed the signal into the galaxy without direction, that would require a colossal amount of power to detect. Transmitting the signal to our solar system alone would require considerably less energy, indicating the presence of a Type I civilization: contemporary and highly advanced, with the ability to harness solar energy from its local star. (We do this on our planet with solar panels.)

Last night, the SETI Institute decided to divert its Allen Telescope Array in northern California for its investigation. METI International will also participate from Panama's Boquete Optical Observatory. Researchers will discuss the signal as well as their subsequent findings at the 67th International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, on September 27.

More from News

@appalachianqueen5; Donald Trump
TikTok; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

MAGA Fan Dragged After Claiming Trump Signed A Bill Making It So That She Doesn't Have To File Taxes Anymore

A self-described "Conservative mom in her don't give af 40s. Crunchy & carnivorish!" TikToker who went by @appalachianqueen5 got royally roasted after making a false claim about MAGA Republican President Donald Trump's tax plan for those who aren't among the ultra wealthy.

She said that Trump passed a law saying anyone making under $120,000 didn't have to file a tax return because they wouldn't be paying any taxes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Will Thilly breakdancing
New York Post/YouTube

Guy Breakdances His Way Into Town Hall Meeting To Ask Why Taxes Went Up—And Becomes An Instant Legend

Cranford, New Jersey town council candidate Will Thilly went viral after dancing his way up to the podium at a recent town hall meeting to ask why property taxes in Cranford have gone "up so much."

Thilly's unique tax protest began when he danced his way up to the podium and continued to dance even after a Cranford Township official said, "Mr. Thilly, I started your time." People laughed when Thilly held up a finger to stop the official and continued to dance anyway.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Brian Kilmeade
Fox News

Fox News Host Apologizes After His Suggestion That Homeless People Be Euthanized Sparks Outrage

Fox and Friends host Brian Kilmeade was criticized for suggesting that homeless people with mental health issues get "involuntary lethal injection" after the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a train in North Carolina—and was swiftly condemned for an insincere apology several days after the fact as many are calling for Fox News to terminate his contract.

Zarutska was stabbed to death at the East/West Boulevard station on the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte last month; her killer, a homeless man with a history of mental health issues, has since been charged with first-degree murder.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sofía Vergara
Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

Sofía Vergara Reveals She Missed Presenting At The Emmys Due To 'Craziest' Medical Emergency

Almost everyone has a favorite television show they like to turn on at the end of a rough day or binge-watch for a bit of nostalgia, and most of us pretty frequently check out new shows to see if we can spot a favorite.

Needless to say, the Emmys award show is a huge deal every year, honoring all of the people involved in the projects that are currently gracing the small screen, and basically anyone who's anyone will attend.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rep. Nancy Mace
CNN

Nancy Mace Just Tried To Claim She's Never 'Dehumanized' Her Colleagues—And The Internet Brought The Receipts

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was called out for hypocrisy after she claimed on CNN that Democrats in Congress have been "dehumanizing" Republicans, a move she would "never" do—despite her record of doing just that.

Speaking to anchor Katie Bolduan while the search for the suspect who killed far-right activist Charlie Kirk was ongoing, Mace objected to Bolduan's observation that she was using "us v. them" language, only saying that things are "very one-sided right now." She also suggested that the situation is so bad for her that she's actually afraid of "just walking out in public."

Keep ReadingShow less