Strange SETI Signal from ~1000 LY

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Seti Signal Strange
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a recently detected radio signal, designated SHGb02+14a, which some speculate could be an indication of extraterrestrial communication. Participants explore the implications of the signal's characteristics, including its frequency and potential sources, while also addressing media interpretations and scientific skepticism.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Dr. Dan Wertheimer describes the signal as interesting but not definitive evidence of extraterrestrial life, emphasizing ongoing observations.
  • Dr. Seth Shostak suggests that media coverage may have exaggerated the significance of the signal, clarifying that comments about its consistency with noise do not imply an artificial source.
  • Some participants express excitement about the potential of the signal, with one stating it is promising and worthy of further study.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the "drifting" nature of the signal, with participants questioning its implications for identifying an extraterrestrial source.
  • A participant notes the absence of input from Jill Tartar, prompting curiosity about her perspective on the matter.
  • Another participant references a BBC report stating that astronomers have dismissed the signal as not being from aliens, labeling it as hype and noise.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of excitement and skepticism regarding the signal. While some are hopeful about its implications, others emphasize caution and highlight the lack of definitive evidence, indicating that multiple competing views remain.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the signal's characteristics, particularly regarding its frequency stability and the implications of its drifting nature. The discussion reflects varying interpretations of media reports and scientific statements.

Ivan Seeking
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
8,252
Reaction score
2,664
...Dr Dan Wertheimer, a radio astronomer at the University of California (Berkeley) and the chief scientist for the project, said: "It is the most interesting signal from SETI@home. We are not jumping up and down, but we are continuing to observe it."

Named SHGb02+14a, the possible alien communication has a frequency of about 1420 megahertz - one of the main frequencies at which hydrogen, the most common element in the universe, readily absorbs and emits energy. [continued]

http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=1028302004

Seth Shostak is to discuss this on Coast to Coast AM at 10:00 PM pacific time - about ten minutes from now.

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Dr Shostak reports that a journalist from New Scientist has blown this story out of proportion. A comment made that "it's consistent with the noise", was interpreted to mean noise made by an artificial source.
 
what you guys think? something to get excited about?
 
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. I think it is promising and worthy of more study.
 
I don't see Jill Tartar weighing in on this. I wonder what she thinks.
 
The New Scientist article talks a lot about the "drifting" of the signal which I don't quite understand.
 
Looks like CNN's picked up on the story:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/09/02/space.signals.reut/index.html

Sounds exciting, though I don't think the SETI folks should pop out the champagne just yet...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
plum said:
The New Scientist article talks a lot about the "drifting" of the signal which I don't quite understand.

I think it has to do with the idea that a signal from another star system would (1) be steady in its frequency and (2) be steady on those stellar coordinates. Drifting away from this may indicate an Earthly source of the signal.
 
i hope this turns out to be SOMETHING
 
  • #10
Mystery Radio Signal 'Not Aliens'

BBC News Online is reporting that a radio signal from deep space is not from aliens, according to astronomers. The scientists quelled rumors that spread across the web after New Scientist magazine reported that a signal picked up by a telescope in Puerto Rico might be from an alien civilization. But the Seti@home project's chief scientist, Dr. Dan Wertheimer, told BBC that, "It's all hype and noise…. We have nothing that is unusual." [continued]

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,64818,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_6
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Undergrad Strange radio signal from Proxima Centauri
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
SETI Binary Message Decoding Question
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K