Mysterious Radio Signal From Sun-Like Star ‘Could Be From Aliens’

A mysterious radio signal picked up by a Russian telescope could be from an alien civilisation far more advanced than our own.

Alien-hunting scientists from the SETI project are tuning telescopes on a sun-like star known as HD 164595 in the constellation Hercules - where a ‘hot Neptune’ planet is known to orbit.

But others suggest that the signal could be created by natural processes - and wonder why the Russian scientists at the RATAN-600 telescope have not disclosed their find since detecting it in 2015.

The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence aims to track the star using the Allen Telecope Array (ATA) and the Boquete Optical SETI Observatory in Panama.

Researchers believe that the signal may be the result of ‘microlensing’, where a star’s gravity focuses signals from elsewhere.

But if it does come from aliens, it may well be a civilisation far more advanced than ours - a so-called ‘Kardashev II’ civilisation, with the ability to harness the power of stars.

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 of 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 of a power available to a Kardashev Type I civilization.

Seth Shostak of the SETI institute says, ‘Is it real? The signal may be real, but I suspect it’s not ET. There are other possibilities for a wide-band signal such as this, and they’re caused by natural sources (or even terrestrial interference).

‘I just did a quick calculation of how much wattage they’d need to wield from 94 light-years (I think that’s the distance) in order to produce the apparently received signal, and that would be a big utility bill, even if they were directing the transmission (as opposed to broadcasting equally in all directions). It’s also the case that theknown planet around the star is in an awfully tight orbit, which means it’s probably a place that’s hotter than Seattle’s best restaurant.