SETI researchers have invented a new technique for detecting potential alien radio signals
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have developed an innovative technique that strengthens the search for extraterrestrial life. This method differentiates between potential alien signals and interference from Earth by analyzing their movement in interstellar space.
Scientists have introduced a new methodology for detecting and verifying potential radio signals from extraterrestrial civilizations within our galaxy. This development in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) is a significant advance that will greatly increase confidence in any future discovery of alien life.
Currently, SETI searches rely heavily on radio telescopes on Earth, which are sensitive to radio interference from satellites and the ground. False signals, which mimic technology signatures from extraterrestrial civilizations, can come from a variety of sources, including Starlink satellites, cell phones, microwaves, and even car engines. This kind of interference has created false hopes since the start of the first dedicated SETI program in 1960.
To distinguish between real and false signals, researchers usually change the focus of the telescope to a different part of the sky, then return to the first point several times to make sure that the signal was not a one-off. Even so, the signal could still be a strange emission from Earth.
This problem is handled by a new and innovative technique invented by researchers in the Breakthrough Listen project at the University of California, Berkeley. The method looks for signs in signals that they have moved in interstellar space, thereby eliminating the possibility that the signal is just radio interference from Earth.
Breakthrough Listen, SETI's most comprehensive search project, searches the northern and southern skies for signatures of technology using radio telescopes. It also focuses on thousands of specific stars in the plane of the Milky Way galaxy, which is thought to be the most likely direction in which a civilization would send a signal.
"I think this is one of the biggest developments in SETI radio searches in a long time," said Andrew Simion, principal investigator of Breakthrough Listen and director of the SETI Research Center at Berkeley, home to the oldest SETI program. "This is the first time that we have a technique that, if we only have a single signal, it can potentially allow us to differentiate between it and radio interference. It's really amazing, because if you think about the !Wow signal, these signals are usually disposable."
Simeon was referring to a famous 72-second narrowband signal observed in 1977 by a radio telescope in Ohio. The astronomer who discovered the signal, which does not look like something created by normal astrophysical processes, wrote "Wow!" in red on the data printout. The signal was never seen again.
"The first detection of an extraterrestrial signal could well be a one-off, one signal," said Simion. "And if a signal is not heard, very little can be said about it. And of course, the most likely explanation for it is radio interference, which is also the most likely explanation for the !Wow signal. The combination of this new technique and the devices that can record data with sufficient reliability that you can see the effect of The interstellar medium is very strong."
Simion noted that in the future Breakthrough Listen will be used in a method known as scintillation, along with the spot in the sky, in SETI observations.
More of the topic in Hayadan:
Comments
why go far
A few days ago there was a hearing in Congress which is beginning to reveal that the US government possesses alien piloted vehicles. Why is Chaim Ashad - the head of the Israeli satellite project who claims that the encounter with aliens happened a long time ago - ignored?
It's a waste of money... we're all alone. The chance of contact with extraterrestrials tends to zero. The time and distances are too great.
Of course God doesn't exist either, he won't answer to anyone either.
Science thinks it knows everything, let's not forget one thing that the aliens have more intelligence than humans on Earth, we have more primitive tools than them, no matter how much we want to wait for them, we will not succeed
You didn't really explain how the new method works...
Why search if you already know that there are extraterrestrials and other cultures besides us.
After all the disclosures of the information about their existence within us, including evidence of mutual shooting, confrontations, mutual eliminations, and secret agreements with some of them.
And they hide everything so as not to cause panic.
In my opinion we are not alone in the universe, we are an experiment laboratory of aliens in humans and there are charlatan humans who trade in the opinion of humans for their own benefit in all religions
Another way to continue investing millions of dollars to finance the salaries of those who ignore the multitude of scientific studies dealing with alien presence on Earth.