An alien message from space? Discover the mystery of the Wow signal!

Updated July 5, 2024, 6:17 PM IST

A mysterious radio signal detected by Ohio State University’s Big Ear telescope has intrigued scientists and the public alike, sparking ongoing debates about its origins. Find out the details.

Discovering the Wow! Signal: A Potential Message from Extraterrestrial Intelligence?

On August 15, 1977, a mysterious radio signal was detected by Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope during a search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Known as the “Wow!” signal, the 72-second burst intrigued scientists and the public, fueling debates about its origin. The Wow signal! has permeated popular culture, appearing in media such as the Netflix series “3 Body Problems,” which presents it as a message from a extraterrestrial civilization. This cultural fascination underscores the signal’s enduring mystery and intrigue.

According to the BBC report, astronomer Jerry Ehman discovered the signal a few days after it was recorded and marked it with the exclamation mark “Wow!” on the printed document, giving the signal its famous name. The signal, which came from the constellation Sagittarius, is one of the most promising candidates for an extraterrestrial radio transmission.

Signal characteristics

The Wow! signal was focused on a specific region of the radio spectrum, at a wavelength of 21.106 cm and a frequency of 1420.406 MHz, known as hydrogen lineThis line is emitted by hydrogen atoms, the most common element in the universe, making it a key area of interest in the search for extraterrestrial signals.

Despite numerous attempts, the exact source of the Wow! signal remains unknown. Various theories have been proposed, ranging from natural cosmic events to interference from terrestrial sources. Some researchers have suggested that a Sun-like star located about 1,800 light-years away could be the source, although this has not been confirmed.

In 2016, Antonio Paris suggested that the Wow! signal could have been caused by a hydrogen cloud associated with comets 266P/Christensen and P/2008 Y2, which were in the same part of the sky at the time. Paris’ team surveyed the sky again in 2017 when comet 266P/Christensen passed through the region and found that the comet’s signal matched the Wow! signal. However, this theory remains controversial.

The Wow! signal remains an unsolved mystery in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. While some researchers continue to explore natural explanations, the possibility that it was an intentional signal from another civilization keeps curiosity alive. Without a repeat signal or definitive proof, the Wow! signal will continue to be a source of wonder and speculation.