Ross 128 Radio Signal Update 07/16/2017 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Researchers at Arecibo radio telescope detected an unusual radio signal originating from the red dwarf star Ross 128, sparking speculation about its cause and potential alien origins.

Key Insights

• 🤩 The detection of a mysterious radio signal from the red dwarf star Ross 128 has sparked curiosity among researchers.
• 📡 Possible explanations for the signal range from interference by a human satellite to natural phenomena like solar flares.
• 🪜 The characteristics of the signal, including being quasi-periodic and non-polarized, add to the mystery.
• 📶 The weak strength of the signal and limited availability of radio telescopes make verification challenging.

Transcript

I had initially intended to release part two of my exploration into doing SETI by looking for disappearing stars today, but a new story has developed over the last few days worth preempting that video until tomorrow. It’s been hard to weed through this case due to sparse information, but the basics are that researchers working at the Arecibo radio ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What did the researchers at Arecibo radio telescope detect?

The researchers detected an odd radio signal originating from the red dwarf star Ross 128, which stood out due to its unusual characteristics and lack of interference from nearby stars.

Q: Could the signal be of alien origin?

While the signal is intriguing, it is highly unlikely to be of alien origin. The lead investigator suggests that it is probably due to an earth satellite emitting a signal on the observed frequency.

Q: What makes the signal's characteristics unusual?

The signal was broadband, quasi-periodic, non-polarized, and had strong dispersion features. The term "quasi-periodic" refers to a pattern that is not completely periodic but exhibits some repetition.

Q: How will the researchers verify the signal?

The researchers plan to observe the red dwarf star again using the Arecibo radio telescope to see if the signal reappears. This will help determine if the signal is consistent and potentially rule out certain explanations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Researchers at Arecibo radio telescope accidentally detected a strange radio signal originating from the red dwarf star Ross 128, located 11 light years away.

• The signal exhibited unusual characteristics, such as being broadband, quasi-periodic, non-polarized, and having strong dispersion features.

• Possible explanations for the signal include interference from a human-built satellite, a solar flare, or a source between Earth and Ross 128.