Researchers from the SETI Institute, Berkeley SETI Research Center, and International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research have embarked on a pioneering project to search for signs of advanced extraterrestrial technology in distant galaxies using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Western Australia. This innovative approach marks a significant step forward in the quest to detect intelligent life beyond our own.
Expanding the SETI Horizon
Historically, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has been conducted in our own galaxy. Yet this new study goes even further afield, searching distant galaxies in one of the most sweeping hunts for advanced civilizations to date.
Under the lead of SETI Institute Dr. Chenoa Tremblay and Curtin University Prof. Steven Tingay, the research team is using the MWA’s broad view and low frequency range to search 2,800 galaxies at once in a single observation with distances established for 1,300 of these galaxies. This enables them to survey a significant portion of the sky to increase their chances of identifying technosignatures (signs of alien technology).
Interstellar Communication Constraints
For a civilization to send any type of detectable signal from one galaxy to another, they would have to figure out the energy of their sun, or perhaps multiple stars within their galaxy. This is a level of technology we can only dream about for our own future.
Examining these rare radio flashes are “really pushing the envelope on the types of signals we can observe,” and represent the search for “very advanced civilizations,” decades or centuries beyond our present capabilities, the researchers wrote. This new method provides an interesting contrarian view of the possible obstacles and needs for communicating over interstellar distances, while also stretching SETI out into a hitherto unexplored realm.
No contemporary technology sicgnatures were found in the first study, but valuable lessons learned provide useful guidance for future searches and meaningful expansion of our knowledge about the universe as well as whether or not there is intelligent life elsewhere.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking work is an important step toward one day being able to identify the presence of advanced alien technology. Exploring low-frequency radio signals and expanding the search to distant galaxies opens up new opportunities for SETI researchers. While the original study may not have found any techno signatures, the lessons learned will help guide future searches and inch us ever closer to answering one of humanity’s oldest questions: Are we alone in the universe?
