"Strange" SETI@Home Signal.

[Prospero]

http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=1028302004

Dr Dan Wertheimer, a radio astronomer at the University of California
(Berkeley) and the chief scientist for the project, said: "It is the
most interesting signal from SETI@home. We are not jumping up and
down, but we are continuing to observe it."

Named SHGb02+14a, the possible alien communication has a frequency of
about 1420 megahertz - one of the main frequencies at which hydrogen,
the most common element in the universe, readily absorbs and emits
energy.

Some astronomers have suggested that aliens trying to announce their
presence would be likely to transmit at this frequency, and SETI
researchers regularly scan this part of the radio spectrum.

The unexplained signal appears to be emanating from a point between
the constellations of Pisces and Aries, where there is no obvious star
or planetary system within 1,000 light years, and the transmission is
also very faint.

Dr Eric Korpela, of the research team, said: "We are looking for
something that screams out 'artificial'. This just doesn't do that,
but it could be because it is distant."

So far, the telescope has managed to pick up the signal for only about
a minute in total, which is not sufficient for astronomers to analyse
it fully.

This is from around 12:45 last night. Nothing spectactular, but it is interesting to know about none the less. Actually, I am wondering how and/or why they came to the conclusion that an alien species would most likely transmit on that frequency?

[Deacon]

Because they're scientists!

[Grumlen]

Well, what fun is it if they just go "We got some random hydrogoen emissions!" They want more funding, and hinting at the possibility of first contact is the best way to get it even if the odds of it are very slim.

[Killer-Rabbit]

As CNN said...

It was broadcast on the main frequency at which the universe's most common element, hydrogen, absorbs and emits energy, and which astronomers say is the most likely means by which aliens would advertise their presence.

I would expect an intelligent life form to attempt contact using something that the others would be looking at.

[Blaze]

That's the idea. They figure it's easiest and most common to watch Hydrogen, so that's where they'll talk.

It should be noted, we communicate well below Hydrogen's frequency, usually, so I'm not so sure that's right.

[Deacon]

It's pure conjecture on the part of people who have gone so far down Conjecture Road that they've reached the intersection of Fantasy Lane and are all turned around, not sure which is which.

[Imperator Severn]

They want more funding

Nail. Head. Accurate application of violence.


SETI makes a fallacious assumption. The scientists seem to think that if there was life outside of Earth, it would want to talk to us.

Furthermore, why would people be watching the hydrogen frequency? Seems a bit noisy to me. I'd transmit in the clearest possible range.

[Killer-Rabbit]

[quote="Imperator Severn";p="392542"]Furthermore, why would people be watching the hydrogen frequency? Seems a bit noisy to me. I'd transmit in the clearest possible range.[/quote]

Lets say you have two planets (A and B). Planet A has an evolved species thats attempting to contact other planets with life. Planet B however is unknown. Planet A has no idea of what Planet B's technology is like, they may be far beyond them or they may just barely be able to recieve a signal. To have the highest odds of finding Planet B, Planet A would want to assume that the inhabitants are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea.

Now, say you are a civilization that is just starting to look out into the stars. Sure, you'd be monitoring all the frequencies you use. But Planet A would have a hell of a time figuring out what those are. So where would B start? Well, why not with mapping the most abundant element in the universe: Hydrogen. So Planet A figures that if Planet B is anywhere near space exploration, they are most likely going to be monitoring hydrogen's frequency. So A sends out a simple repeating signal and hopes somewhere out there, B is monitoring it.

(Note: Apart from looking for extraterrestrial intelligence, SETI@Home is also working on mapping the hydrogen in the universe...and digital watches are a pretty neat idea)

[AlexanderBarca]

The Astronomers are not the ones making the big fuss over this: As this report states, it's the media that's creating all the reactionary hubbub.


Much to my shame, this was farked.

[Lunatic Jedi]

Its the Covenant! ilovebees.com is true!

RUN!

[Dreamer]

Well, digital watches are cool...

[Deacon]

Cool? No.

[Zero_Point]

It is kinda weird that they made such a fuss about them receiving a frequency that occurs naturally in the most abundant freakin' element in the universe... Seems kinda stupid to me. I mean, WE sent out a specific frequency to whoever is listening, so it only makes sense that in order for them to make us acknowledge that they exist and got our message, then why wouldn't they send a unique signal? One similar to the ones we sent, but different enough for us to assume that we didn't just receive an echo of the ones we sent.

[Killer-Rabbit]

[quote="Zero_Point";p="392917"]I mean, WE sent out a specific frequency to whoever is listening, so it only makes sense that in order for them to make us acknowledge that they exist and got our message, then why wouldn't they send a unique signal? One similar to the ones we sent, but different enough for us to assume that we didn't just receive an echo of the ones we sent.[/quote]
No one ever said it was a reply to our signal.

[Nekra]

some of these systems are so far away that assuming that it was a intelligent transmission from some other life form, chances are whoever sent it is already dead