Scientists have expanded their search for technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilizations by focusing on a new type of signal that could indicate intelligent alien life. Previous efforts focused on narrowband radio signals or single unusual transmissions, but this initiative targets wideband pulsating signals with repetitive patterns. These signals, which repeat every 11 to 100 seconds across a few kilohertz, resemble radar transmissions. Scientists believe these signals could be deliberate beacons advanced civilizations use for interstellar communication. The search, known as the Breakthrough Listen Investigation for Periodic Spectral Signals (BLIPSS), is a collaboration between Cornell University, the SETI Institute, and the Breakthrough Listen initiative.

BLIPSS is monitoring a region toward the core of our galaxy, densely populated with stars. Using a ground-based radio telescope in West Virginia, the researchers are scanning less than 1/200th of the area covered by the moon, focusing on the center of the Milky Way approximately 27,000 light-years away. The area being observed contains around 8 million stars, with the assumption that any potential extraterrestrial life would reside on rocky planets within the habitable zone around a star.

The scientists take a passive approach, scanning for signals without actively transmitting any messages advertising our presence on Earth. They believe deliberately transmitting signals could potentially attract aliens with unknown intentions to Earth, posing risks. Any decision to send deliberate transmissions should be made by global consensus, considering the safety and appropriateness of such actions. The researchers emphasize the importance of listening and investigating before engaging in deliberate transmissions and note that decisions regarding Earth’s communication should involve political and ethical considerations on a global scale.

Despite their efforts, no conclusive evidence of alien life has been found thus far. The exploration has been limited in scope, and the researchers acknowledge that a more extensive search is necessary to gain further insights.

References

• Reuters. (2023, May 31). Scientists Expand Search for Signs of Intelligent Alien Life. VOA; VOA. https://www.voanews.com/a/scientists-expand-search-for-signs-of-intelligent-alien-life/7117646.html
• Suresh, A., Gajjar, V., Nagarajan, P., Sheikh, S. Z., Siemion, A. P., Lebofsky, M., … & Croft, S. (2023). A 4–8 GHz Galactic Center Search for Periodic Technosignatures. The Astronomical Journal, 165(6), 255.