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Credit: SETI League
Explanation:
No one knows for sure what caused this
signal.
There is a slight possibility that it just might
originate from an extraterrestrial
intelligence.
The bright colors on the
blue background indicate that an anomalous signal
was received here on Earth by a
radio telescope
involved in a
Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).
A search for these signals is ongoing by
several groups including volunteer members of the
SETI League.
Time labels the vertical axis of the
above plot, and frequency marks the horizontal axis.
Although
this strong signal was never positively identified,
astronomers have identified in it many attributes
characteristic of a more mundane terrestrial orgin.
In this case, a leading
possibility is that the signal originates from an unusual
modulation between a
GPS satellite
and an unidentified Earth-based source.
Many
unusual signals from space remain unidentified.
No signal has yet been
strong enough or run long enough to be unambiguously
identified as originating from an
extraterrestrial
intelligence.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: SETI
Publications with words: SETI
See also: