Started By
Message
Alien megastructures? SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array targets weird star.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 10:58 pm
Posted on 10/21/15 at 10:58 pm
LINK
This story has been trending for a while. Interest in what is happening in a weird solar system is continuing to build.
Summary
A star called KIC 8462852 was studied for four years by the Kepler space telescope. It is extremely interesting because nothing like it has ever been seen before.
The Kepler telescope was looking for planets circling the 150,000 stars it was studying in a tiny patch of the Milky Way. Thousands have been found by the transit method which is based on the observation of a star's small drop in brightness that occurs when the orbit of one of the its planets passes in front of the star.
Typically, a star's brightness is dimmed by about 0.05% for no more than a few days. During the 4-year study of KIC 8462852, the star dimmed by 21% for periods up to nearly 3 months.
This is astounding because KIC 8462852's solar system is older than our own. The implication is that something extremely unusual is going on. Preliminary guesses by scientists range from an unlikely cometary event to megastructures built by a Kardashev Type II civilization. For comparison, we are a Type 0.
Not only the SETI telescope array is being used to learn more about the anomaly. The Very Large Array in New Mexico and the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia will look for radio emissions from the solar system that indicate the presence of technology.
We should know soon whether this is a natural event or if an alien civilization is active just 1,462 light years from earth. What's your opinion?
This story has been trending for a while. Interest in what is happening in a weird solar system is continuing to build.
Summary
A star called KIC 8462852 was studied for four years by the Kepler space telescope. It is extremely interesting because nothing like it has ever been seen before.
The Kepler telescope was looking for planets circling the 150,000 stars it was studying in a tiny patch of the Milky Way. Thousands have been found by the transit method which is based on the observation of a star's small drop in brightness that occurs when the orbit of one of the its planets passes in front of the star.
Typically, a star's brightness is dimmed by about 0.05% for no more than a few days. During the 4-year study of KIC 8462852, the star dimmed by 21% for periods up to nearly 3 months.
This is astounding because KIC 8462852's solar system is older than our own. The implication is that something extremely unusual is going on. Preliminary guesses by scientists range from an unlikely cometary event to megastructures built by a Kardashev Type II civilization. For comparison, we are a Type 0.
Not only the SETI telescope array is being used to learn more about the anomaly. The Very Large Array in New Mexico and the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia will look for radio emissions from the solar system that indicate the presence of technology.
We should know soon whether this is a natural event or if an alien civilization is active just 1,462 light years from earth. What's your opinion?
12
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:01 pm to Kentucker
Post pics of your girlfriend for proper OT evaluation. Otherwise GTFO.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:07 pm to Pavoloco83
I'm Irish so,
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:16 pm to Kentucker
I don't see the big deal. We're all narcissist. Of course we're going to think earth is the only planet with intelligent life. Only time will prove how small we really are
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:17 pm to Kentucker
I think we should start being a whole hell of a lot quieter and stop broadcasting our whereabouts in space. We always like to think the universe started with our sentience, but the fact of the matter is: It probably started longer ago than we can imagine and other civilizations might not take too kindly to our growth rate.
In just 6,000 years we went from small, desolate villages to landing on other planets. By any measurements we're pretty fast learners, and we seem to be gaining knowledge faster than we're gaining morality.
In just 6,000 years we went from small, desolate villages to landing on other planets. By any measurements we're pretty fast learners, and we seem to be gaining knowledge faster than we're gaining morality.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:22 pm to To the Dome
quote:
Only time will prove how small we really are
The takedown will be profound if KIC 8462852 actually is home to a Type II civilization. They could have their way with us.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:27 pm to Kentucker
quote:
The takedown will be profound if KIC 8462852 actually is home to a Type II civilization. They could have their way with us.
And relatively speaking, they're not that far away. Unfortunately, I don't think it'd be like the movies if they decided to be hostile. They'd probably just poison our atmosphere or something, not even bothering with an invasion.
We would be completely helpless against anything they did.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:32 pm to StrawsDrawnAtRandom
quote:
I think we should start being a whole hell of a lot quieter and stop broadcasting our whereabouts in space
The good news is that our radio signals have only spread about 100 light years from earth. The bad news is that earth has been broadcasting the presence of life for a couple of billion years. That's when oxygen levels in the atmosphere became significant. Oxygen means life.
quote:
We always like to think the universe started with our sentience, but the fact of the matter is: It probably started longer ago than we can imagine and other civilizations might not take too kindly to our growth rate.
Yeah, life began on earth an estimated 4.1 billion years ago, very soon after the planet formed. However, the Universe is about 13.7 billion years old. Lots of civilizations could have come and gone long before our solar system even formed.
quote:
we seem to be gaining knowledge faster than we're gaining morality
To me, the presence of morals is inversely proportional to population. In small communities, morals are a big deal. In large cities they're much less uniform.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:36 pm to StrawsDrawnAtRandom
quote:
And relatively speaking, they're not that far away.
In space terms, they're next door. If there is a civilization in that solar system, I'm sure they're very aware of our existence. We may only be a local curiosity to them.
quote:
We would be completely helpless against anything they did
I very much doubt that we have anything a Type II civilization would want.
This post was edited on 10/21/15 at 11:38 pm
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:36 pm to Kentucker
quote:
The good news is that our radio signals have only spread about 100 light years from earth. The bad news is that earth has been broadcasting the presence of life for a couple of billion years. That's when oxygen levels in the atmosphere became significant. Oxygen means life.
I'm not so sure why we're so preoccupied with actually COMMUNICATING, though. Sure, we have oxygen and life has existed here for a while, but we seem to have this urge to be listened to when in reality -- we really do just need to sort of be silent. There's nothing we can do if they decide to drop a visit and are actually a Type II civilization, but we don't need to help anyone either.
Extraterrestrial Intelligence doesn't intrigue me as much as it terrifies me, because while we dominate Earth -- if we ever run into a Type II civilization we have to be like a bride in an arranged marriage and hope for a kind husband.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:38 pm to Kentucker
Technically, given the distance, its probably a lost civilization.
You're essentially looking back in time at that distance.
You're essentially looking back in time at that distance.
This post was edited on 10/21/15 at 11:40 pm
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:39 pm to Kentucker
quote:
In space terms, they're next door. If there is a civilization in that solar system, I'm sure they're very aware of our existence. We may only be a local curiosity to them.
This, too. I was going to say: They are already well-aware of our existence and have probably been observing us for a while. Especially if they actually were able to create a Dyson Sphere.
Let's hope they're friendly if they're there.
I wonder, though, why it goes in cycles? If it were natural, I figure we would be able to predict the cycles. If it's not natural, then obviously it would be more erratic.
Spooky stuff, man.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:42 pm to StrawsDrawnAtRandom
quote:
Sure, we have oxygen and life has existed here for a while, but we seem to have this urge to be listened to when in reality -- we really do just need to sort of be silent.
Not to worry. Any communication with aliens would be one way, us listening in on their broadcasts. We're just too primitive to engage any other civilization at this time. May in 50 years or so. Like you said, we're advancing at a startling pace.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:43 pm to Stir of Echoes
quote:
Technically, given the distance, its probably a lost civilization.
You're essentially looking back in time at that distance.
Not if it's a Type II, man. It would take something monumental to get rid of a Type II civilization. It's actually something that we can't even begin to comprehend, because they're just so many tens of thousands of years ahead of us technologically. IF that's what it is.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:45 pm to Stir of Echoes
quote:
You're essentially looking back in time at that distance.
Yes, we're seeing KIC 8462852 as it was 1,462 years ago. However, it's reasonable to think they have the capability to view us in real time.
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:47 pm to StrawsDrawnAtRandom
quote:
Let's hope they're friendly if they're there.
I think it's certain that they're not hostile. I can't imagine an aggressive society advancing that far.
quote:
I wonder, though, why it goes in cycles? If it were natural, I figure we would be able to predict the cycles. If it's not natural, then obviously it would be more erratic.
The dimming cycles range from 5 days to 80 days. This seems very erratic to me. If they're harnessing their star's energy, perhaps they need varying amounts according to their life stages.
This post was edited on 10/21/15 at 11:52 pm
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:51 pm to Kentucker
quote:
I think it's certain that they're not hostile. I can't imagine an aggressive society advancing that far.
I can't either to be quite honest, it would be a level of development beyond basic emotions............
But it doesn't make me rest easy.
I hope that we do make contact in one way, but in the other end I hope we can make advances in our own civilization.
It would be embarrassing if they were watching us right now.
EDITING for second part:
The nature of it is strange. Like I said, we'd be able to predict the timing if it were something natural. Especially if it was something like a comet's orbit, or even an asteroid belt caught into the star.
Space is always unpredictable, but this is definitely something you just don't see too often. The problem, I think, is the lack of luminosity. Whatever is covering it would have to be absolutely massive, and in such a short period of time...so bizarre. Terrible thing to read before sleeping.
This post was edited on 10/21/15 at 11:55 pm
Posted on 10/21/15 at 11:58 pm to StrawsDrawnAtRandom
quote:
It would take something monumental to get rid of a Type II civilization.
KIC 8462852 is a healthy star. It's slightly bigger than our sun and older. That's why that solar system is so curious.
There's no scenario wherein a star's light is being blocked by solar system formation debris. The system there is 5+ billion years old. If it's a natural peculiarity, I think it might be the result of two or more planets having collided and creating a debris field around the star.
Posted on 10/22/15 at 12:03 am to StrawsDrawnAtRandom
quote:
Terrible thing to read before sleeping
Yep. I'm getting ready to pay KIC 8463852 a little visit via the dream stream. G'night.
Posted on 10/22/15 at 7:36 am to Kentucker
quote:
However, it's reasonable to think they have the capability to view us in real time.
No it isn't.
Page 1 of 7
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News