Fast Radio Burst 121102 Update For 09/02/17

TL;DR

SETI has detected a repeating radio signal, FRB 121102, originating from a small galaxy located 3 billion light years away, leading to speculations about its origin, possibly alien in nature.

Transcript

When searching for radio signals of potential alien origin, SETI places one major restriction on detections. They must repeat. That’s sensible because you can’t really verify and study something that doesn’t, but at the same time you end up with a plethora of mysterious anomalous one off signals like the Wow! Signal that you never get to find out t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙂 SETI detected a repeating radio signal, FRB 121102, originating 3 billion light years away.
• 🫤 The source of the bursts is believed to be a small galaxy that could have supported life billions of years ago.
• 💗 The signals could be leakage from laser pulses used for spacecraft propulsion.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it important for radio signals of potential alien origin to repeat?

Repetition allows for verification and in-depth study of the signals, unlike anomalous one-off signals like the Wow! Signal that remain mysterious.

Q: Could FRB 121102 be the result of alien civilizations?

While the extragalactic nature and distances involved make it unlikely, one hypothesis suggests that the signals could be leakage from laser pulses used to power sail-driven spacecraft.

Q: How frequently do fast radio bursts occur?

An estimated FRB occurs every second somewhere within the observable universe, according to calculations by Anastasia Fialkov and Abraham Loeb.

Q: What must be done to determine the origin of radio signals?

Natural explanations, such as pulsars or magnetars, must be thoroughly examined and eliminated before considering the possibility of alien origins.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• FRB 121102 is a fast radio burst source that emits repeating signals and is located 3 billion light years away from Earth.

• It is a known source of fast radio bursts having been discovered in 2012.

• The bursts are believed to have originated billions of years ago, making it possible for life and intelligence to have arisen in its galaxy.