The True Nature of the Candidate ET Signal From Proxima Centauri – Sky & Telescope
[ad_1]
It’s called BLC1, and it’s the closest we’ve ever come to finding intelligent alien life.
In 2019, astronomers discovered a radio signal that appeared to come from Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to the Sun. Though the signal was clearly unnatural in origin, it bore no obvious mark of humanity. The scientists named it Breakthrough Listen Candidate 1, or BLC1, after the state-of-the-art search for extraterrestrial intelligence that made the detection. Until now, no one knew its true nature.
In a pair of articles published in Nature Astronomy earlier this week, members of the Breakthrough Listen team reported that although BLC1 almost perfectly resembles a true alien signal, new tests indicate it is of human origin.
“BLC1 is, in my opinion, the most compelling signal of interest ever,” says Danny Price (International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research), a contributing researcher on both studies. “[It] has almost all the characteristics we expect from a technosignature,” meaning evidence of the use of technology.
That is no mean feat. There are several ways radio searches check whether a signal might truly have come from an alien civilization, and BLC1 is the only one ever that checked all the most important boxes.
First, BLC1 is narrow in frequency, a tone purer than any natural process could produce – so it was clearly made by technology. Second, BLC1 was only detected when the telescope was looking at Proxima Centauri. That made it less likely to have been caused by human radio interference.
But what really made BLC1 exciting was that its frequency changed. For a similar reason that an ambulance’s siren sounds higher-pitched when it comes toward you and lower as it moves away, a radio signal from outer space will change frequency depending on the transmitter’s velocity relative to Earth. BLC1’s frequency drifted exactly like it would if it were being emitted by something moving within the Proxima Centauri system, like a satellite or planet.
Put that all together and you get a telltale signal, one that resembles a narrow, intermittent waterfall cascading down your screen. As Price describes it, seeing that signature captured the Breakthrough team’s imaginations.
“It’s the first signal we’ve seen that has warranted serious follow-up,” he adds.
But when Breakthrough Listen observed Proxima Centauri again in 2020, and yet again exactly two years after the original detection, BLC1 had disappeared.
Something was wrong. Yet there were no tests left in the old playbook. If the team was going to find where BLC1 came from, they had to invent new ways to look for clues.
A Needle In A Haystack
There are no known electronics on Earth that intentionally transmit at BLC1’s frequency, so one of the first places astronomers looked was space. They checked satellites, space probes, and even asteroids, which can reflect radio waves from Earth.
When that search turned up dry, they looked at possible routes around the observatory for anything that could have theoretically produced the interference. Someone strolling around with a device in their pocket, a car on the freeway, a plane on the horizon – any of these might have been able to mimic the drift of the signal. But when the team charted all the potential paths a person or vehicle might have taken nearby, they found that none could explain BLC1.
The team tried a new strategy: they searched for “lookalikes.” If BLC1 is not unique – if it was also detected when the telescope was pointing somewhere else – then it wasn’t ET. Searching all the data they had taken on hundreds of other stars, the team turned up a few dozen signals that drifted exactly like BLC1, though around different frequencies.
“That’s when I felt we had enough evidence to conclude that BLC1 was radio interference,” Price recalls.
With careful study, the team found that all of these signals could be produced by a single electronic device interfering with itself, producing weak radio waves at a range of frequencies that just barely leaked into the telescope. Price’s best guess is some piece of high-end electronics, tens or hundreds of miles away.
What exactly the device was is beside the point. What matters is that the new tools Breakthrough Listen developed “will be really useful when they find other interesting signals,” explains Michael Garrett (University of Manchester / Jodrell Bank Observatory), who wasn’t involved in the study. “We are really much more capable than we were a few years ago. If there is a signal out there, we’re getting closer to being able to detect it.”
Since Breakthrough Listen has only searched about a thousand stars out of their goal of a million, the project should have plenty of opportunities. Garrett is hopeful: “One day we might discover something that would really change how we view ourselves and the universe.”
Where does that leave Proxima Centauri? Even before BLC1 was discovered, the system invited speculation of being inhabited. It hosts at least two planets, one of which is potentially rocky like Earth and at the right distance from its star to sustain liquid water. However, recent observations of huge flares from Proxima have made prospects of life on the planet less likely.
To Price, the question isn’t theoretical. “The only way we’ll ever know,” he says, “is by looking!”
Advertisement
[ad_2]
Original Post
of course like your website but you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to tell the reality on the other hand I’ll definitely come back again.
Wow! Thank you! I continuously needed to write on my website something like that. Can I implement a fragment of your post to my blog?
I real pleased to find this web site on bing, just what I was looking for : D as well saved to fav.
An fascinating discussion is value comment. I believe that it’s best to write extra on this topic, it won’t be a taboo topic however typically persons are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own web site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a good example of it.
I like this website so much, saved to fav.
I am continually invstigating online for posts that can aid me. Thank you!
Yay google is my world beater aided me to find this outstanding site! .
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in reality was a amusement account it. Glance complicated to more introduced agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep up a correspondence?
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a enjoyment account it. Glance complex to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we keep in touch?
I?¦ve recently started a site, the information you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Hey There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is an extremely smartly written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to learn more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
It?¦s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Hiya! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My website covers a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way!
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i¦m glad to convey that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make sure to do not overlook this site and provides it a look regularly.
I was looking through some of your content on this internet site and I conceive this internet site is rattling informative ! Keep on posting.
Im no longer positive where you are getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or figuring out more. Thank you for fantastic info I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
Only wanna comment that you have a very nice site, I enjoy the style and design it actually stands out.
BEST PRIVATE PROXIES – Elect high quality, Boundless bandwith, 1000 mb/s superspeed, 99,9 uptime, Non sequent IP’s, Certainly no wearing boundaries, Numerous subnets, USA or possibly The uk proxies – Order At this moment – https://DreamProxies.com
I used to be suggested this blog by means of my cousin. I’m now not certain whether this publish is written by him as no one else know such unique approximately my trouble. You’re incredible! Thanks!
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
This website is my inhalation, really fantastic pattern and perfect content.
hey there and thank you for your info – I have certainly picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise several technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update this again soon..
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
Thanks for your text. I would also like to say that a health insurance specialist also works well with the benefit of the particular coordinators of any group insurance policies. The health agent is given a list of benefits looked for by a person or a group coordinator. What any broker can is search for individuals or maybe coordinators which will best complement those demands. Then he offers his tips and if both sides agree, the particular broker formulates a contract between the two parties.
You made some nice points there. I did a search on the issue and found most guys will agree with your website.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
Hi! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your blog posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same subjects? Thanks!
fantastic points altogether, you just received a emblem new reader. What would you suggest about your put up that you just made a few days ago? Any sure?
I was just looking for this info for some time. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your website. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative web sites in top of the list. Usually the top web sites are full of garbage.
Well I definitely enjoyed studying it. This post procured by you is very useful for good planning.
It is the best time to make a few plans for the longer term and it’s time to be happy. I’ve learn this publish and if I may I want to counsel you few fascinating issues or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles regarding this article. I desire to read even more issues about it!
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage that you continue your great posts, have a nice day!
Thanks for the suggestions you talk about through your blog. In addition, a lot of young women that become pregnant don’t even seek to get health care insurance because they are full of fearfulness they probably would not qualify. Although a few states now require that insurers present coverage regardless of pre-existing conditions. Prices on these types of guaranteed programs are usually bigger, but when considering the high cost of health care it may be a new safer way to go to protect your own financial potential.
I’m really inspired along with your writing abilities as neatly as with the layout on your blog. Is that this a paid topic or did you customize it yourself? Either way stay up the nice high quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
so much wonderful information on here, : D.
I visited a lot of website but I conceive this one has something extra in it in it
Outstanding post, you have pointed out some wonderful details , I as well conceive this s a very good website.
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your web site in internet explorer, could check thisK IE nonetheless is the market chief and a good section of other people will leave out your fantastic writing because of this problem.
Thanks for the tips you have shared here. On top of that, I believe there are some factors which keep your car insurance policy premium down. One is, to contemplate buying motors that are inside good list of car insurance companies. Cars that are expensive are usually more at risk of being robbed. Aside from that insurance policies are also based on the value of the car, so the higher in price it is, then higher your premium you make payment for.
It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the longer term and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this submit and if I could I want to suggest you few attention-grabbing issues or advice. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more issues approximately it!
Thanks for the post. My spouse and i have continually seen that most people are needing to lose weight because they wish to appear slim along with attractive. Nonetheless, they do not always realize that there are more benefits just for losing weight as well. Doctors declare that overweight people are afflicted with a variety of conditions that can be instantly attributed to their own excess weight. Thankfully that people who’re overweight along with suffering from different diseases are able to reduce the severity of their own illnesses by simply losing weight. It is possible to see a steady but noted improvement in health while even a moderate amount of weight reduction is reached.
I simply couldn’t depart your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual info a person supply to your visitors? Is going to be back frequently to check out new posts
Hello, I think your website might be having internet browser compatibility problems. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, wonderful website!
I like looking through a post that will make men and women think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!
You’re so cool! I do not believe I’ve read through something like that before. So good to discover somebody with a few unique thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
I found your weblog site on google and verify a number of of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the very good operate. I simply additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of ahead to reading extra from you afterward!…
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
I just added this blog site to my google reader, great stuff. Can’t get enough!
Most of what you assert happens to be supprisingly precise and that makes me ponder why I had not looked at this in this light before. Your article truly did switch the light on for me as far as this specific subject goes. Nevertheless at this time there is actually just one point I am not necessarily too comfy with so while I try to reconcile that with the central idea of your point, permit me see just what the rest of the subscribers have to point out.Nicely done.
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help prevent content from being ripped off? I’d genuinely appreciate it.
Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog. Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions? Thanks
What is FlowForce Max? FlowForce Max Advanced Formula is a holistic blend designed to promote optimal prostate health
Hello, you used to write magnificent, but the last several posts have been kinda boring?K I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll definitely be back.
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the structure of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
Very good visual appeal on this web site, I’d rate it 10 10.
Lovely blog! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also.
Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this website.
Hey there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!
You are my inspiration , I own few blogs and very sporadically run out from to post .
Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Great choice of colors!
I have recently started a web site, the info you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Appreciate it for helping out, fantastic info .
I was recommended this blog through my cousin. I’m now not certain whether this post is written by him as no one else realize such specific about my difficulty. You’re incredible! Thank you!
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage one to continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!
Nice post. I be taught one thing more difficult on totally different blogs everyday. It would always be stimulating to learn content from other writers and practice a bit of one thing from their store. I’d want to make use of some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a hyperlink on your net blog. Thanks for sharing.
Hola! I’ve been following your site for a long time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Texas! Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic work!