Radiotelcope receives enigmatic periodic signals from near stars

Astronomers have recorded periodic signals from the star Ross 128, which is 10.89 light-years away, with one of the world's largest radiotelescopes. So far, the scientists have no explanation for the origin of the signals.

Puzzling signals from Ross 128.

Arecibo (Puerto Rico). The Radiotelcope of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico is one of the largest of its kind with a diameter of 305 meters. With a different telescope, the signals could not be recorded as they are too weak, explains Abel Mendez from the University of Puerto Rico in Planetary Habitability Laboratory. Mendez and his colleagues have enigmatic quasiperiodic impulses from the Red Dwarfs Ross 128, 10.89 light years away in the constellation Virgo. The cause of the signals is currently still completely unclear and even if there are three theories - does not fit properly.

The astronomers have discovered the ruthless signal from Ross 128 in the context of the Red Dot campaign, whose goal is to track previously undiscovered earth-like exoplanets. "The signals consist of broadband, quasi-periodic and unpolarized pulses with very strong scattering characteristics," says Mendez.

It is very unlikely that the signals are interferences of a terrestrial source, since the radiance was concentrated on Ross 128 and nothing was recorded off the star. However, the puzzling signal does not necessarily have to be artificial. Currently, there are, besides the alien theory, three other theories - even if none really fits.

Possible causes of signal from Ross 128

One possibility for the signals would be a special flare. Similar stellar eruptions, however, have a significantly lower frequency and also the scatter pattern of the signal does not fit quite so to this theory.

However, the signal could not originate from Ross 128, but from an astronomical object in the immediate vicinity or from an object in the observation section. "However, there is no evidence for this," says Mendez.

The last theory refers once more to a terrestrial source or a man created by man. Thus a satellite with very high orbit could have caused the signal. "However, we have never observed such radio impulses from a satellite," the astronomers explain Mendez.

Re-examination of Ross 128

On July 16, the astronomers again aligned the Arecibo telescope on Ross 128. In addition, seven other telescopes, which are able to record the weak signal, have switched to this. The analysis of the data is still going on and the first results will probably be released promptly.