Short Wave Did E.T. Phone Us?
Jan 27, 2022
Geoff Brumfield, NPR science correspondent, dives into the captivating search for extraterrestrial life. He discusses a mysterious radio signal detected from Proxima Centauri that sparked excitement among scientists. The conversation covers the mixed emotions of thrill and fear in the hunt for alien communication. Brumfield also highlights the collaborative efforts in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the ongoing challenges of distinguishing cosmic signals from Earthly noise. Join him in exploring the quest for our cosmic neighbors!
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A Signal from Proxima Centauri?
- In 2019, the Parkes Observatory in Australia detected a signal while observing Proxima Centauri.
- Initially, it seemed like a potential alien transmission due to its narrow frequency, point source origin, and frequency shifts resembling the Doppler effect.
SETI's Challenges
- SETI research is a long shot, and funding is limited, often relying on private sources.
- Astronomers sometimes piggyback SETI observations onto other research projects.
The Discovery
- Shane Smith, an undergraduate intern, discovered the signal while reviewing data from the Parkes telescope.
- The signal initially passed all the filters designed to identify potential alien transmissions.