In 2019, the Australian radio telescope detected a fascinating signal emanating from the vicinity of Proxima Centauri, the nearest star to Earth.
This signal, designated as breakthrough listen candidate 1 (BLC1), exhibited all the characteristics of a “technosignature,” which may suggest the presence of intelligent life.
The signal comprised a single discernible narrowband wavelength and displayed a Doppler shift (indicating movement), was precisely localized in the sky, and persisted for several hours, capturing the attention of researchers.
These features imply that the signals are unlikely to be attributed to natural phenomena.
Nonetheless, some complications have surfaced regarding the extraterrestrial explanation. It was discovered that the signal was present in other observations of Proxima Centauri during the same timeframe, and notably, even when the telescope was not aimed at the star.
A subsequent observation the following year failed to detect the signal. An analysis of all the data collected by the Breakthrough Listening Project later identified similar signals from various other targets, including blank sky. This strongly indicates that the source of the signal was probably radio interference.
The BLC1 mirrors another narrowband radio signal detected in August 1977, famously referred to as “Wow!”
This potential “technosignature” lasted a full 72 seconds and could not be readily explained by natural occurrences.
However, the precise location of the signal in the sky was never identified, and follow-up searches of the area yielded no further signals.
There is ongoing debate regarding the origins of “Wow!”, but no clear evidence exists yet to confirm it as a product of extraterrestrial civilizations.
However, scientists are not solely focused on alien signals.
Discovered in 2017, ‘Oumuamua (depicted above) was identified as an elongated, reddish rocky object traveling through the solar system at extraordinary speed.
Its peculiar shape and trajectory led some astronomers to speculate that it might be a “solar sail” from a distant alien civilization.
However, this theory is considered improbable, as its unusual characteristics can also be explained without resorting to alien hypothesis.
Still, scientists have yet to intercept or discover anything that definitively indicates an exciting “alien” origin.
This article addresses the query posed by Lester to Daniel Howell: “Have we ever intercepted anything from an alien?”
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