Astronomers have detected an "intriguing radio signal" apparently originating from Proxima Centauri, the closest star system to our Sun, as reported by The Guardian. Researchers are actively investigating its source.
Located just 4.2 light-years away, Proxima Centauri is the Sun's nearest stellar neighbor. In 2016, astronomers from the European Southern Observatory confirmed the existence of Proxima Centauri b, a planet orbiting in the star's habitable zone. This discovery has sparked numerous studies exploring the potential for life on this world, making recent findings particularly noteworthy, according to The Guardian.
Using the Parkes Telescope in Australia, researchers isolated a narrow 982 MHz radio wave beam in 2019. This telescope is part of the Breakthrough Listen initiative, funded by Yuri Milner, dedicated to searching for extraterrestrial techno-signatures.
The signal was captured during a 26-hour observation of the Proxima Centauri system, appearing briefly before vanishing. Notably, it exhibited slight variations during observation.
To qualify as a candidate for alien hunters, signals must pass rigorous automated tests excluding terrestrial interference. While most candidates are dismissed as artifacts, this one endured scrutiny.
Scientific American consulted the discovery team, who emphasized ongoing analysis. "It has special properties that caused it to pass many of our checks, and we can't explain it yet," stated Andrew Siemion from the University of California, Berkeley.
The 982 MHz frequency is especially compelling, as it matches bands typically emitted by human-made satellites. "We know of no natural way to compress electromagnetic energy into a single frequency bin like this," Siemion noted. While exotic plasma physics might offer a natural explanation, "the only source we know of is of technological origin."
An anonymous source cited by The Guardian called it "the first serious candidate for extraterrestrial communication since the 'Wow!' signal" from 1977, another apparent techno-signature.
Terrestrial interference remains a possibility, and recent studies indicate harsh conditions around Proxima Centauri may preclude life.
