The WoW Signal
The Signal
Earth received its first enigmatic message from the vast expanse of outer space when the Big Ear radio telescope at Ohio State University intercepted a solid 72-second signal from the constellation Sagittarius. This remarkable discovery left astronomer Jerry R. Ehman in awe. As he circled the frequency code of the signal — 6EQUJ5 — Ehman famously exclaimed, “WOW!” This extraordinary event, now known as the “WOW! Signal,” marks a significant milestone in our quest to understand the universe and explore the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
The powerful blast of radio waves arrived from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius and exhibited all the characteristics of an extraterrestrial origin. The incident has since been used to support the argument for searching for alien civilizations. The Big Ear radio telescope, a crucial tool in this discovery, was designed to operate at frequencies that intelligent beings might use to communicate. The 1.42 GHz radio frequency, which is naturally emitted by hydrogen, was of particular interest, as hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe; it was believed that intelligent life outside Earth would likely be familiar with it.
The WOW! Signal was recorded for 72 seconds, the maximum duration for detecting an incoming signal. As the Earth rotated, the telescope’s antenna swept across the night sky, listening for signals from various directions. The antenna was pointed at the same angle for several days and then tilted slightly to scan the next section of the sky. For an alien civilization to make contact with humans, they must transmit their signals at frequencies they know will be detectable. However, there are alternative explanations for the WOW! Signal, such as natural celestial events or terrestrial interference, which continue to be debated among scientists.
In May 2015, a team of researchers using a Russian radio telescope — a significant tool in this discovery — spotted a strong radio signal from the vicinity of the sunlike star HD 164595, located 94 light-years away from Earth. This signal, the first detected from such a distant star, marked a major breakthrough in the search for extraterrestrial life.
The characteristics of the signal are consistent with something an alien civilization might have transmitted, but it could also stem from a natural celestial event or terrestrial interference. The same team of astronomers that discovered the 2015 signal studied the HD 164595 system on 39 different occasions but only made one detection. While the detection team has yet to publish their findings, the signal’s unique characteristics and the team’s extensive research suggest the possibility of extraterrestrial contact.
Oumuamua
The space anomaly Oumuamua, which means “a messenger from afar arriving” in Hawaiian, is an interstellar visitor with distinctive features: a rusty red color, a cigar-like shape, and uncontrolled tumbling. These unusual traits immediately attracted the attention of the astronomer at the University of Hawaii who first detected it. This was no ordinary comet or asteroid; it was the first known interstellar object from a vastly distant, unidentified solar system.
Initially, Oumuamua was observed to be accelerating away from the Sun, a phenomenon that posed a challenge to many theories about its composition. This unexpected acceleration, often referred to as the “Oumuamua problem,” became a significant puzzle for astronomers. Additionally, its unusual elongated shape — estimated to be ten times longer than it is wide — added to the mystery surrounding the object.
Astronomers employed computer modeling to explore potential explanations for this mysterious acceleration, considering factors like solar radiation pressure, drag-like forces, and interactions with solar wind, the charged particles emitted by the Sun. These explanations were among the most plausible based on our current understanding of celestial mechanics. However, none perfectly accounted for the observed behavior of Oumuamua, underscoring the challenges involved in interpreting astronomical data and the need for further research.
Galactic Federation
A former head of Israel’s military space program has claimed that extraterrestrials have made contact with officials in both the United States and Israel over the years. However, they do not always appear publicly out of concern that such revelations might cause widespread panic.
According to Haim Eshed, the former chief of Israel’s space program, these extraterrestrials have refrained from disclosing their presence. He asserts that aliens are already living among us on Earth and that there is a “Galactic Federation” comprised of several species that has been informed of human affairs. This suggests that the U.S. and Israel may have been collaborating with extraterrestrials on space travel for years, potentially changing our understanding of space exploration and international relations. Eshed also mentioned that former U.S. President Donald Trump might reveal this information once the federation determines that humanity is ready for it, raising questions about the societal impact of such a disclosure.
“If this information had come out five years ago, I would have been hospitalized,” Eshed stated. He added that attitudes are shifting, and he feels he has nothing to lose. He has received academic degrees and awards and is respected in universities abroad. However, it is important to note that the scientific community has not universally accepted Eshed’s claims, and many scientists remain skeptical until further evidence is presented.
Posted by Waivio guest: @waivio_cosmicsecrets