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Mysterious signals from 1000 light years away

Submitted by Karthik on 2 September, 2004 - 23:15

The radio telescope at Arecibo, Puerto Rico, as part of the SETI project, has detected a radio signal on three separate occasions, which thus far has defied any scientific explanation.

Named SHGb02+14a, the signal has a frequency of about 1420 megahertz. This happens to be one of the main frequencies at which hydrogen, the most common element in the universe, readily absorbs and emits energy.

Some astronomers have argued that extraterrestrials trying to advertise their presence would be likely to transmit at this frequency, and SETI researchers conventionally scan this part of the radio spectrum.

SHGb02+14a seems to be coming from a point between the constellations Pisces and Aries, where there is no obvious star or planetary system within 1000 light years.

An interesting read. New Scientist has this story.