Astronomers using the RATAN-600 radio telescope in the Russian Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia have detected an unusual signal emanating from a star located about 94 light-years from Earth. It’s not clear if the signal is being transmitted by aliens, but the researchers say we should keep a close watch on this intriguing new extraterrestrial candidate.
As reported by Paul Gilster at Centauri Dreams, the anomalous signal was detected by an international team of astronomers back on May 15, 2015. The researchers, led by N. N. Brusilov, describe a “strong signal in the direction of HD164595,” a planetary system located in the constellation Hercules. The finding is set to be discussed at a meeting of the IAA SETI Permanent Committee on September 27, 2016.
Astronomers have also asked Seti (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) to take a closer look at whether they could be a message from ET.
SETI will track HD 164595 tonight using the Allen Telescope Array in northern California and the Boquete Optical SETI Observatory in Panama.
According to a report by Paul Gilster at Centauri Dreams, the signal was first detected on May 15 last year by the RATAN-600 radio telescope in Zelenchukskaya.
HD 164595 is interesting to scientists because it's a sun-like star with at least one 'warm Neptune' planet in orbit.
Its average temperature is 12 Kelvin hotter than the sun and is around 100 million years younger than our star.
Scientists say there may still be other planets undetected around HD 164595.
'No one is claiming that this is the work of an extraterrestrial civilisation, but it is certainly worth further study,' writes Gilster.
'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 civilisation.'
'If it were a narrow beam signal focused on our solar system, it would be of a power available to a Kardashev Type I civilisation.'
The Kardashev scale is a way of measuring an alien society's technological advancement based upon how much energy it has at its disposal.
A Type I civilisation is given to species who have been able to harness all the energy that is available from a nearby star, gathering and storing it to meet its population's demands.
A Type II civilisation is much more advanced and can harness the power of their entire star.
Type III is a species that has been able to master everything having to do with energy. Earth doesn't feature on the scale.
The researchers who discovered the signals at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Special Astrophysical Observatory say 'permanent monitoring' of HD 164595 is needed.
Gizmodo
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