Scientists think aliens use star explosions to send messages to Earth
Researchers earlier studied with the help of cosmic events like supernovas to search for signals from aliens
June 23, 2023
Astronomers in their new study have theorised that supernovas may allow us to receive messages from aliens, as scientists are observing a nearby type II supernova SN 2023ixf star that is approaching the end of its life, reported Independent.
The current star under observation is the nearest to our planet which was discovered by the Japanese astronomer Koichi Itagaki last month.
Scientists discovered the supernova alongside the spiral arms of the Pinwheel Galaxy which is located around 21 million light years away from planet Earth.
Scientists in their new study, yet to be peer-reviewed, proposed that advanced aliens – if they exist – might use the exploding star as an opportunity to communicate with residents of other planets.
Prior to this, researchers studied with the help of cosmic events like stellar explosions to search for signals from other living beings.
According to the assumption, aliens use these massive space events to grab human attention, by sending coordinates in the hope to be picked up by Earth dwellers.
According to astronomers, they suspect that supernova 2023ixf – the nearest Type II supernova in over a decade – could serve as an important benchmark event in this respect.
Scientists have also highlighted an elliptical region of space called a SETI ellipsoid around the supernova.
This area would offer aliens living on habitable planets a clear view of both the supernova as well as Earth.
Researchers have marked about 100 stars in this region that are visible from Earth that might potentially relay messages as we witness the “star go out in a bang”.
“We find that more than 100 stars within 100pc are already close to intersecting this SETI Ellipsoid, providing numerous targets for real-time monitoring within ∼3° of SN2023ixf,” scientists wrote in the study.
Scientists are starting a drive to observe signals of these target stars using the Allen Telescope Array in San Francisco and the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia hoping of being picked up potential alien communication.
These explosions occur only in stars at least over eight times the mass of the Sun and can shine for months, offering a large time window for an alien civilisation keen on communicating with humans.
“We intend to revisit the Ellipsoid once a month for the next few months as new stars enter the sample, and are open to synchronizing our observations,” scientists wrote in the study.
