So far, scientists cannot say with certainty whether the captured radio signals are of natural or artificial origin.
The employees of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico managed to catch strange signals emanating, presumably, from the small and relatively cold star Ross 128, which is only 11 light years from our planet. They reported their discovery to Business Insider.
Astrobiologist from the University of Puerto Rico Abel Mendes said that the observation of the star was carried out for ten minutes and the radio signal caught at this time was different not only from those that usually emit stars, but also from the signals that were previously able to catch from Ross 128 - he went at higher frequencies.
So far, scientists find it difficult to say unequivocally whether we are talking about a new class of stellar flares, or the signal comes from another source - a background star or a highly orbiting artificial Earth satellite.
“The signals are probably too weak for other radio telescopes, and the world's largest telescope, FAST, is still under calibration,” Mendes explained.
The astrobiologist is in no hurry to dismiss the version that the signal may come from a source created by representatives of extraterrestrial civilizations, but for now, scientists intend to test more plausible hypotheses.
Scientists at Arecibo Observatory will regularly observe the star Ross 128 starting July 16, hoping to unravel the mystery. Specialists engaged in the search for extraterrestrial civilizations (SETI project - Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. - Life's note) will also join the research. However, while they are skeptical about the discovery made by their Puerto Rican colleagues.
- It is highly likely that the captured signals are ground interference with the telescope. This is always true, ” SETI Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak commented to Business Insider.
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The red dwarf Ross 128 is located in the constellation Virgo, 11 light-years from the Sun. Moreover, the star itself is about 2800 times dimmer than our star. It is impossible to see it from the Earth with the naked eye.
Anatoly Krivtsov