Source of famed Wow! signal likely found

A team from the Planetary Habitability Laboratory at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo has proposed a new explanation for the Wow! Signal, a mysterious radio signal detected by Ohio State University's Big Ear telescope in 1977. Initially thought to be a potential sign of extraterrestrial life, the signal has remained unexplained for decades. The researchers suggest that the signal may have originated from a cold hydrogen cloud that experienced sudden brightening due to stimulated emission from a transient radiation source, such as a magnetar flare or a soft gamma repeater. This phenomenon could account for the signal's unique characteristics and its fleeting nature. The study indicates that the Wow! Signal might represent the first recorded instance of maser-like emission of the hydrogen line, which could redefine the understanding of such signals and inform future searches for extraterrestrial life. The findings highlight the possibility of false positives in the search for technosignatures, emphasizing that the Wow! Signal was likely not a communication from alien life forms.

- The Wow! Signal, detected in 1977, has been reinterpreted as a natural astrophysical event.

- Researchers propose that the signal was caused by a cold hydrogen cloud brightening due to radiation from a magnetar flare or soft gamma repeater.

- This hypothesis suggests the signal was the first recorded instance of maser-like emission of the hydrogen line.

- The findings may redefine the search for extraterrestrial life and highlight potential false positives in technosignature detection.

- The search for extraterrestrial signals continues despite this new explanation.