Signs from a red dwarf surprise astronomers

During observations of the red dwarf Ross 128, made May 12 with the Arecibo radio telescope located in Puerto Rico, scientists detected peculiar signals from the star. Two weeks later, they became aware of their strange nature. The signals represented non-polarized broadband quasi-periodic pulses with strong dispersion characteristics.

However, the chances that they might be signs of extraterrestrial life are very low. "The recurring extraterrestrial hypothesis comes after many other better explanations," wrote Abel Méndez, an astrobiologist and planetary scientist who heads the laboratory of Planetary Habitability in Arecibo at the University of Puerto Rico.

Scientists are unaware of the origin of the signals but propose three plausible explanations: they could be emissions similar to type II solar flares, emissions from another object in the field of view of the star or flashes of a satellite in a high orbit . However, since the signals come only from Ross 128, astronomers dismiss it as being electromagnetic interference.

The next observation of the red dwarf star is scheduled for this Sunday. "We may soon clarify the nature of their radio broadcasts, but there are no guarantees," Mendez said. In addition to Ross 128, scientists will also notice Barnard's star. In case the signs turn out to be astronomical in nature, Mendez promises to celebrate with a pina colada prepared for the occasion.