Radio source SHGb02+14a
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![2 comparison graphs of the signal, from SETI@Home [1]](../../../upload/thumb/0/02/SHGb02-14a.jpg/250px-SHGb02-14a.jpg)
Radio source SHGb02+14a is a source and a candidate in the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI), discovered on March 2003 by SETI@home and announced in New Scientist on September 1, 2004.
The source was observed three times at a frequency of about 1420 MHz, which is expected to be a frequency used by extraterrestrials due to its proximity to one of the main frequencies at which hydrogen absorbs and radiates photons.
There are a number of puzzling features of this candidate, which have led to a large amount of skepticism. The source is located between the constellations Pisces and Aries, a direction in which no stars are observed within 1000 light years. It is also a very weak signal. The frequency of the signal has a rapid drift, which would correspond to it being emitted from a planet orbiting nearly 40 times faster than the Earth around the sun - however each time the signal was detected, it was at circa 1420 MHz, prior to it starting to drift.
There are also a number of potential explanations for this signal. It could be an artifact of random chance, cosmic noise or possibly just a glitch in the technology.
[edit] References
- Alexander, Amir. "SETI@home Leaders Deny Reports of Likely Extraterrestrial Signal", The Planetary Society, 2004-09-02. Retrieved on June 12, 2006.
- Reich, Euginie. "Mysterious signals from light years away", New Scientist, 2004-09-01. Retrieved on June 12, 2006.
- Whitehouse, David. "Astronomers deny ET signal report", BBC News, 2004-09-02. Retrieved on June 12, 2006.
- Gaussian Candidate SHGb02+14a. SETI@home. Retrieved on June 12, 2006.
- The SETI Signal. Retrieved on June 12, 2005.
