News

Alien Hunters Discover Mysterious Signal from Proxima Centauri

Published

4 years ago

December 22, 2020

It’s never aliens until it is. Today, news leaked in the British newspaper The Guardian of a mysterious signal coming from the closest star to our own, Proxima Centauri, a star too dim to see from Earth with the naked eye that is nevertheless a cosmic stone’s throw away at just 4.2 light-years. Found this autumn in archival data gathered last year, the signal appears to emanate from the direction of our neighboring star and cannot yet be dismissed as Earth-based interference, raising the very faint prospect that it is a transmission from some form of advanced extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI)—a so-called “technosignature.” Now, speaking to Scientific American, the scientists behind the discovery caution there is still much work to be done, but admit the interest is justified. “It has some particular properties that caused it to pass many of our checks, and we cannot yet explain it,” says Andrew Siemion from the University of California, Berkeley.

Most curiously, it occupies a very narrow band of the radio spectrum: 982 megahertz, specifically, which is a region typically bereft of transmissions from human-made satellites and spacecraft. “We don’t know of any natural way to compress electromagnetic energy into a single bin in frequency” such as this one, Siemion says. Perhaps, he says, some as-yet-unknown exotic quirk of plasma physics could be a natural explanation for the tantalizingly concentrated radio waves. But “for the moment, the only source that we know of is technological.”

The detection was made by a $100 million project called Breakthrough Listen, led by Siemion and funded by tech billionaire Yuri Milner under the umbrella of Milner’s Breakthrough Initiatives. The goal of this multiyear endeavor—which began in 2015 with a star-studded announcement attended by Stephen Hawking and other space-science luminaries—is to buy observing time on radio telescopes around the world to search the skies for evidence of technological civilizations. That pursuit, of course, is more commonly known as the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). To date, no such evidence has conclusively been found despite more than a half-century of modest but steady SETI activity, with any potential signals almost always ruled out as originating from satellites orbiting Earth or other human-caused interference.

“If you see such a signal and it’s not coming from the surface of Earth, you know you have detected extraterrestrial technology,” says Jason Wright, a SETI-centric astronomer at Penn State University in Pennsylvania. “Unfortunately, humans have launched a lot of extraterrestrial technology.”

http://www.technologychanging.com/technology/solar-installers-is-your-ticket-to-a-greener-future.html

The story of this latest SETI spectacle really began on April 29, 2019, when scientists affiliated with Breakthrough Listen started collecting the data that would later reveal the intriguing signal. A team had been using the Parkes radio telescope in Australia to study Proxima Centauri for signs of flares coming from the red dwarf star, in part to understand how such flares might affect Proxima’s planets. The system hosts at least two worlds.

The first, dubbed Proxima Centauri b upon its discovery in 2016, is about 1.2 times the size of Earth and in an 11-day orbit. Proxima b resides in the star’s “habitable zone,” a hazily defined sector in which liquid water could exist upon a rocky planet’s surface—provided, that is, Proxima Centauri’s intense stellar flares have not sputtered away a world’s atmosphere. Another planet, the roughly seven-Earth-mass Proxima c, was discovered in 2019 in a frigid 5.2-year orbit.

Using Parkes, the astronomers had observed the star for 26 hours as part of their stellar-flare study, but, as is routine within the Breakthrough Listen project, they also flagged the resulting data for a later look to seek out any candidate SETI signals.

The task fell to a young intern in Siemion’s SETI program at Berkeley, Shane Smith, who is also an undergraduate student at Hillsdale College in Michigan. Smith began sifting through the data in June of this year, but it was not until late October that he stumbled upon the curious narrowband emission, needle-sharp at 982.002 megahertz, hidden in plain view in the Proxima Centauri observations. From there, things happened fast—with good reason.

“It’s the most exciting signal that we’ve found in the Breakthrough Listen project because we haven’t had a signal jump through this many of our filters before,” says Sofia Sheikh from Penn State University, who helmed the subsequent analysis of the signal for Breakthrough Listen and is the lead author on an upcoming paper detailing that work, which will be published in early 2021. Soon, the team began calling the signal by a more formal name: BLC1, for “Breakthrough Listen Candidate 1.”

Also read: Star of Netflix show Working Moms mocked online for her ‘super distracting’ thin upper lip

To pique any SETI researcher’s interest, a signal must first endure a barrage of simple automated tests to rule out obvious terrestrial interference. Hundreds of candidates, however, routinely pass this phase and are singled out for further investigation. From there, almost all will be dismissed as some mirage or error—perhaps an excess of static, for instance—that fooled the winnowing algorithm, eliminating them from consideration as any sort of transmission from talkative aliens. “Except this one,” Sheikh says.

Revisiting the data from 2019, Sheikh and her colleagues noted that the telescope had looked at Proxima multiple times in scans lasting 30 minutes over the course of a week. Breakthrough Listen uses a technique called “nodding,” where the telescope will spend a period of time looking at a target and then an equivalent period looking elsewhere in the sky, to check that any potential signal is truly coming from the target and not, say, someone microwaving their lunch in an observatory’s cafeteria. “In five of the 30-minute observations over about three hours we see this thing come back,” Sheikh says, a hint that the signal indeed originated from Proxima Centauri—or some other deep-space source in that part of the sky—before making its way to Earth.

One might think, then, that the case would be closed. But while a natural cosmic source may seem unlikely, it cannot yet be ruled out—and, the thinking goes, as unlikely as a natural explanation might be, an “unnatural” explanation such as aliens is even less likely still. Consequently, every member of the Breakthrough Listen team interviewed for this article steadfastly insists the chance of this being anything other than terrestrial interference is exceedingly remote. “The most likely thing is that it’s some human cause,” says Pete Worden, executive director of the Breakthrough Initiatives. “And when I say most likely, it’s like 99.9 [percent].”

That rational skepticism extends all the way to the top. “When we launched Breakthrough Listen with Stephen Hawking in 2015,” Milner says, “it was understood that the most rigorous scientific approach will be used to analyze all candidate signals.” Milner and seemingly all the SETI researchers his funding supports fully expect BLC1 to wither away under the project’s now-intense scrutiny. But, just maybe, it won’t.

Proxima Centauri

For the time being, months of further analysis are in store to definitively rule out other potential sources. And BLC1 itself, while seeming to come from Proxima Centauri, does not quite fit expectations for a techno signature from that system. First, the signal bears no trace of modulation—tweaks to its properties that can be used to convey information. “BLC1 is, for all intents and purposes, just a tone, just one note,” Siemion says. “It has absolutely no additional features that we can discern at this point.” And second, the signal “drifts,” meaning that it appears to be changing very slightly in frequency—an effect that could be due to the motion of our planet, or of a moving extraterrestrial source such as a transmitter on the surface of one of Proxima Centauri’s worlds. But the drift is the reverse of what one would naively expect for a signal originating from a world twirling around our sun’s nearest neighboring star. “We would expect the signal to be going down in frequency like a trombone,” Sheikh says. “What we see instead is like a slide whistle—the frequency goes up.”

So far, follow-up observations using Parkes have failed to turn up the signal again, with a repeat observation being a necessity to confirm that BLC1 is a genuine technosignature. “If it’s an ETI it must eventually be replicable, because it’s unlikely it would be a one-off,” says Shami Chatterjee, a radio astronomer from Cornell University in New York. “If an independent team at an independent observatory can recover the same signal, then hell yes. I would bet money that they won’t, but I would love to be wrong.”

Nonetheless, it remains one of the most intriguing signals found by Breakthrough Listen—or indeed any SETI program—to date, one that Sheikh compares to the so-called “Wow! signal” detected in 1977, which some believed to be of extraterrestrial origin. “I think it’s on par with the Wow! signal,” she says. More likely than not, however, this is simply some previously unknown source of Earth-based interference. In a few months, we’ll likely know for certain one way or another. But for the time being, it’s never aliens … right? “I hate that phrase, because if you say that then why even look,” Wright says. “What we mean by that is that it’s never been aliens before.”

Originally Published on: scientificamerican.com

Up Next

Fkfcu – Business meeting brings Fort Knox Federal Credit Union to Life

Don't Miss

Donald Trump’s officials TURNED DOWN offer of more doses of Pfizer vaccine

News

Where does Ron DeSantis stand on critical issues?

Published

1 year ago

June 24, 2023

Asripasan

Ron DeSantis on the economy

Ron DeSantis is a strong advocate for the economy, and he believes that the government should do everything possible to help businesses and entrepreneurs succeed. He has a proven track record of creating jobs and growing the economy.

As Governor, Ron DeSantis is committed to making Florida the best state in the nation to do business. He has slashed taxes and regulations and is working to make Florida a global hub for innovation and job creation.

Under Ron DeSantis, Florida’s economy is booming. The state has created nearly 400,000 new jobs since he took office, and unemployment is at a historic low. Florida’s economy is on track to become the third largest in the nation, and Ron DeSantis is working to ensure that everyone benefits from this growth.

Ron DeSantis is a strong supporter of the military, and he believes that Florida should be a leader in defense and aerospace. He has worked to make Florida a hub for these industries and is committed to protecting our military bases and creating high-paying jobs for our veterans.

Ron DeSantis is also a strong supporter of the space industry, and he believes that Florida should be a leader in this growing sector. He has worked to make Florida a hub for space exploration, and he is committed to creating high-paying jobs for Floridians in this industry.

Ron DeSantis on taxes

Florida’s new governor, Ron DeSantis, has clarified that he wants to cut taxes for Floridians. In his first State of the State address, DeSantis proposed a $1 billion tax cut package that would include eliminating the state’s sales tax on commercial leases and reducing the state’s corporate income tax rate from 5.5 percent to 3.5 percent.

DeSantis has also proposed eliminating the state’s motor vehicle registration fee and doubling the homestead exemption for homeowners. If approved by the Legislature, these tax cuts would take effect on July 1, 2019.

In addition to these proposed tax cuts, DeSantis has also called for a review of the state’s tax code to identify additional ways to cut taxes. He has directed the Department of Revenue to conduct a comprehensive review of the tax code and to make recommendations on how to make the tax code more efficient and effective.

The Department of Revenue’s review is ongoing, but DeSantis has already clarified that he wants to see additional tax cuts for Floridians. In a recent interview, DeSantis said he would like to see the state’s sales tax reduced from 6 percent to 5 percent and the corporate income tax rate reduced to 2.5 percent.

DeSantis has also said he is open to eliminating the state’s income tax altogether. While this would be a significant tax cut for Floridians, it is unclear if the Legislature would be willing to go along with such a proposal.

In any case, DeSantis is committed to reducing taxes for Floridians. With the state’s economy booming, now is the perfect time to provide tax relief to Florida families and businesses.

Ron DeSantis on healthcare

Ron DeSantis, Florida’s new governor, has clarified his healthcare stand. He has said he wants to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. He has also said that he supports expanding access to health insurance through tax credits and health savings accounts.

DeSantis has also said that he wants to increase transparency in healthcare pricing, and he has proposed a plan to do just that. His plan would require hospitals and other healthcare providers to post their prices for common procedures online. He has also said that he supports capping out-of-pocket costs for patients.

DeSantis has also said that he wants to increase mental health and addiction services funding. He has proposed a plan to do this, including increasing funding for community mental health centers and creating more inpatient beds for those with mental health and addiction problems.

Clearly, Ron DeSantis has thought about healthcare and has some definite ideas about what he would like to see changed. He will be a governor to watch on this issue in the coming years.

Find the latest Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis news, who is running for president in 2024. DeSantis, a Republican, was first elected as governor in 2018 and handily won reelection in 2022. He has made himself a national brand in part by hammering on social issues, including cracking down on what he dubs “woke” practices.

News

UK 49s Hot Ball And Cool Number 2022 (Predictions, statistics)

Published

2 years ago

July 18, 2022

Asripasan

Many believe that winning the UK49s Lottery could be possible. Unfortunately, most people don’t have luck. There is hope for those who can think and take a look at the UK49s Predictions. hot numbers for lunchtime today.

Other people believe that teatime, lunchtime, and afternoon lottery numbers are visible. The numbers are drawn according to a time period.

You can lose everything you bet on! You must be responsible and not lose more than what you can afford.

Some believe that the lottery offers a chance to win because draws are susceptible to sudden and unpredicted changes. However, there are those who believe that the lottery draws are often scrutinized and redrawn as a result.

Hot Numbers

Hot numbers are the numbers that were recently drawn and aren’t expected to be seen in a long time. Here is a list.

Hot balls:

5, 41 30

Cold Numbers

A cold number can be a lotto which hasn’t had to be scored in a significant time period. You can take advantage this rare opportunity by using the chart 3 quick stats to quickly find out important information about cold or hot numbers. By comparing HITS to other EXPECTED Hits, you can immediately determine if the quantity has dropped or increased.

cold balls:

13, 10, 34

How do you pick the most lucky numbers to win?

Numerological numbers can be drawn in a similar way to the numbers 26 16, 41, 32, and 28. 26 is one possible number that was drawn more frequently than the ball with 66 the lowest common number. It’s possible this is due the increase in the number of balls.

UK 49 Hot Numbers and Cold

Many people believe that the lottery may be unlucky. Everyone doesn’t have the same luck. They have the chance if they use their brains to trust both the hot and the cold balls. Contrary, those who don’t believe in lottery numbers can have them drawn again after a certain time.

UK49s Cold and Hot Numbers

It is possible to lose everything if you gamble! Always gamble responsibly, and don’t place bets that are too high-risk.

It is why people have a curiosity to examine the numbers to determine which numbers are frequently drawn and those that make an occasional appearance. This is why I will answer one of most commonly asked questions about the hot/cold ball of the 49s Lottery.

How do you find a number for a cold ball?

Lottery draws often have numbers that repeat themselves over and again. Certain numbers are more rare than others and they don’t appear in exact draws. The cold ball could be a number from a lottery that has not been successful over the long-term. To find out more about UK49’s hot and cold numbers, use the quick Stats. Comparing individual Hits to expected hits. Expected Hits

This will enable you to immediately determine if the temperature has dropped or increased from the norm.

How do I find the most recent Ball Numbers

It is known that the numbers that appeared on a draw recently and won’t be seen for a long time are hot.

Many people believe that it is possible to predict the outcome of the draw over time using hot numbers or balls. These are the methods that many UK49s gamers use to choose their numbers. These types of strategies can also be very effective if used correctly.

The ideal scenario would not have any relationship between number occurrences.

Which number is the most popular reward ball number?

There are three most commonly spotted bonus numbers in the UK: 737, 47 9, 11, and 38. Eight, which has appeared 32 times, is the most frequent number in U.K. Lotto.

The reason is that each draw can be considered an individual event. It is interesting to be able to identify the hot and cold numbers. I am sure that our system allows you to do the same for other lottery games.

The curiosity to observe the results is what makes it so interesting. This will answer most of your questions regarding the hot or cold teatime results.

What is the cold number?

Lottery draws often have numbers that repeat over time. Some numbers are extremely rare, and they rarely repeat themselves in any given draw.

Cold balls is a lottery ticket that has not been profitable for a significant time. You can use the easy Stats tool to see details about hot and low numbers. You can also compare actual numbers with the expected hits.

This will enable you to instantly find out if the number is hotter or colder than usual.

What are the Hot Ball Numbers

Numbers that have been drawn recently are not expected to be drawn again. They are called hot number.

Many people are obsessed about forecasting the future. They draw using hot numbers and hot ball. These methods are popular among gamers in the UK49s. They help them choose their numbers to draw. We also believe this type of game can be played extremely efficiently, if used correctly.

The ideal scenario would not have any relationship with the number numbers that will be drawn later because of the results of previous drawings.

What are the most commonly used numbers in bonus balls?

Some most popular bonus ball numbers, which were used on U.K. lotto numbers in October 2014 include 7 37, 47 9, 11, as well as 38. The U.K. lotto has seen the number eight 32 times.

This is because each draw. It is still fascinating to be able to identify the numbers that are both hot and cold. I’m certain our system can allow you to do the same for other lottery games.

News

When is the Best Time to Visit Dubai?

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2022

Asripasan

Are you planning to explore Dubai? There’s a reason why more than 15 million people visit Dubai each year. When is the best time to visit Dubai, though? And what should I know before I plan my trip? Here’s how to decide when is the best time to visit Dubai.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about visiting Dubai.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Dubai?

When planning a trip to the UAE, there are several factors to consider. Continue reading to learn about the best places to visit in Dubai, as well as the rules for visiting.

Climate

Dubai is generally hot and dry all year, with some minor variations from month to month. This could be one of your factors in determining the best month to visit Dubai.

The hottest months are April to October, with July and August being the hottest, with temperatures reaching 41°C. The high humidity (due to its location in the Persian Gulf) at this time is also something to consider.

Because there is extensive air conditioning in hotels, shopping malls, and all indoor venues, the type of vacation you seek will also influence the time of year you can visit. Temperatures in November and March are slightly cooler, but still sunny and pleasant, ranging from 28 to 31°C.

Temperatures reach a high of 26°C between December and February. December and January have the highest average rainfall, but it is still very little (7 to 8mm).

Rules

The majority of the rules for visiting Dubai do not apply only during certain times of the year.
However, due to the nature of these rules, you may need to take the weather into account further.

For example, it is critical to dress appropriately in public. This entails wearing clothing that reaches your knees and covers your shoulders. Given the high temperatures and potential discomfort of wearing long clothing in the heat, this is something to consider.

Other aspects of Sharia law to remember are that public swearing and loud music are prohibited.

Sailing

The best time to go sailing in Dubai is during the cooler months of December to April.
However, September to November is also a good time to rent a yacht in Dubai.

It is also possible to participate in a variety of watersports, such as jet-skiing, banana boating, and even parasailing. Fishing trips are generally available between November and May, and tuna, snapper, and other species can be caught!

Even on hotter days, cruising and sunbathing on the deck before it gets too hot is a great activity. On the other hand, what could be more romantic than an evening sunset cruise?!

Events

The Dubai calendar is filled with a variety of events. If any of these appeal to you, it may influence your decision about when to visit Dubai.

Dubai Shopping Festival in January
Jazz and Food Festivals in February
The Al Marmoom Heritage Festival takes place in March.
Ramadan (April-May)
July to September – Surprises in the Summer
Saudi National Day is celebrated in September
August is the Islamic New Year
Dubai International Film Festival, UAE National Day, and Emirates Independent Day are all celebrated in December.

The Dubai Shopping Festival is a massive event that is a must-see for both shopaholics and families. There are numerous promotions, attractions, and celebrations going on. Finally, the ‘weekend’ in Dubai occurs on Thursday and Friday, rather than Saturday and Sunday. As a result, all businesses are open on Sundays, whereas Friday is considered a holy day of the week.

Prices

When planning your vacation, keep the cost of your vacation in mind. The earlier you book your flights and accommodations, the lower the prices will be. Hotel prices do not typically fluctuate significantly throughout the year. The cheapest months are May and June, when temperatures are at their highest and crowds are at their lowest. Discounts are frequently available during this time, making it an ideal time for budget travellers to visit.

Meanwhile, the most expensive months are October and November, when the weather warms up and visitors flock for a winter vacation.

When Are You Going to Visit Dubai?

We’ve now gone over the various factors that influence the best time to visit Dubai, so you can start planning your next vacation. Whether the weather or a specific event is important to you, a trip at any time of year will not disappoint.

Also Read – How to Find Best Photographers for Your Event