Scientists were able to detect five mysterious radio bursts, which may have possibly originated from outside the Milky Way. Can this be a sign of intelligent alien life?
The discovery came after an alien megastructure was reported orbiting around a distant star called KIC 8462852 to get energy for power.
Double Blasts: A First
The unknown signals are recognized as fast radio bursts (FRBs). Although energy bursts are not very unusual as a total of 11 radio signals have already been detected over the years, including the 1977 discovery known as "Wow signal" by Jerry Ehman, the recent signals still excites scientists.
The amazement still appears fresh because in the recent discovery, scientists from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia were able to detect a "double signal" - something that astronomers have never heard before.
The double blasts, which were detected from Parkes radio telescope in New South Wales, Australia during data analysis, were accompanied by four "single" signals.
Although the researchers led by Emily Petroff, are not completely sure about the details of the discovery, she thinks it is definitely something cool like a sign of extraterrestrial life, possibly from a source as distant as outside of the Milky Way galaxy.
The Possible Role of Orbiting Star KIC 8462852
Up until now the exact source of the unusual radio signals have not yet been confirmed, but one possibility that scientists are looking at is its relationship with the orbiting star KIC 8462852.
The said star, which is possibly being orbited by energy capturing spheres, is estimated to have approximately the same or even larger size than the Earth. Recently, unusual dimming of the star by about 22 percent was noted via radio telescopes. Scientists hypothesized that this may be explained by the radio signals detected by the Swinburne astronomers.
Alien Signals
Now, the scientific team is ecstatic about the possibility that the strange radio bursts may be messages from aliens.
"Every unusual signal from outer space encourages us to wonder if it is from an alien civilization," commented Nigel Watson, author of the UFO Investigations Manual. He added that it will be amazing to know that the people on Earth are not alone in the universe, which may have a dramatic effect on people's perception of the world in the scheme of things.
The Search Is On
Petroff's team does not plan to rest this case, not yet. Since the radio bursts discovery, an international group of experts have been assigned to investigate more. All in all, a total of 12 telescopes have been installed all around the world.
"We've set the trap," said Petroff. With this, she added that they just have to wait for another burst to occur.
Photo: Amanda Slater | Flickr
