Extraterrestrial

Astronomers scour TRAPPIST-1 system for alien signals

By T.K. Randall
October 24, 2024 ·  9 comments

An artist's impression of a world in the TRAPPIST-1 system. Image Credit: ESO / M. Kornmesser If an advanced extraterrestrial civilization has spread to multiple planets, it stands to reason that they must be able to send signals back and forth between worlds.

If the Earth happens to be in the firing line, therefore, it should be possible for us to pick up those communications... that is, at least, according to astronomers from Penn State and the SETI institute who recently spent 28 hours scanning the TRAPPIST-1 star system for evidence of extraterrestrial signals.

TRAPPIST-1 is of particular interest to astronomers because it is thought to be home to seven terrestrial worlds, several of which being located in its star's habitable zone where the temperature is sufficient for liquid water to exist on a planet's surface.

Ultimately, though, despite a record-breaking attempt to detect signals using the Allen Telescope Array (ATA), the teams were unable to pick up any sign of extraterrestrial activity.Their efforts certainly didn't go to waste, however.

"This research shows that we are getting closer to technology and methods that could detect radio signals similar to the ones we send into space," said Penn State graduate student Nick Tusay.

"Most searches assume a powerful signal, like a beacon intended to reach distant planets, because our receivers have a sensitivity limit to a minimum transmitter power beyond anything we unintentionally send out."

"But, with better equipment, like the upcoming Square Kilometer Array, we might soon be able to detect signals from an alien civilization communicating with its spacecraft."

Source: PSU.edu | Comments (9)

Tags: Alien, Extraterrestrial