Particle.news
Download on the App Store
14 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

SETI Study Finds Stellar Space Weather May Smear Alien Radio Signals

Using decades of spacecraft transmissions, researchers show stellar plasma can broaden narrowband technosignatures below current detection thresholds.

The Allen Telescope Array is a large number of small dishes in northern California dedicated to astronomical observations and a simultaneous search for extraterrestrial intelligence.
Credit: Joe Marfia, courtesy of the SETI Institute
The team of astronomers relied on radio transmissions to make the conclusion.  (Photo for Representation: Getty)
Image

Overview

  • The peer-reviewed analysis in The Astrophysical Journal quantifies spectral broadening that can reach tens to hundreds of hertz, with solar storms capable of boosting the effect by orders of magnitude.
  • Calibrations come from measured distortions in signals from missions including Mariner, Pioneer, Helios, Viking, Mars Express and Rosetta, which show stronger smearing closer to the Sun and during active periods.
  • Active M-dwarf systems, which make up roughly 70–75% of Milky Way stars, are singled out as especially likely to distort would-be narrowband transmissions.
  • The authors urge SETI searches to add sensitivity to broader or higher-frequency signals rather than focusing solely on ultra-narrow spikes.
  • Outside experts say the work widens the search parameter space but caution that the overall chance of detecting a signal remains very low, with improved computing and AI expected to aid future extraction methods.