In a distant corner of our galaxy, 41 light years from Earth, the TRAPPIST-1 star system contains seven planets orbiting a red dwarf star.
A dedicated group of scientists from the SETI Institute and Penn State University embarked on a quest to detect alien signals from TRAPPIST-1. Their tool of choice? The Allen Telescope Array ( ATA ), an array of radio antennas aimed at the cosmos like an eager ear, straining for whispers of alien technology.
For 28 continuous hours, the team scoured the system, seeking radio signals that could be indicative of extraterrestrial technology.
This endeavor represents the most extended single-target search for radio signals from TRAPPIST-1. Despite not stumbling upon outright evidence of alien presence , the expedition has unearthed a wealth of valuable data and has pointed the way to a new path to detect signals in the future.
"This research shows we are getting closer to detecting radio signals similar to the ones we send into space," said Nick Tusay, a research fellow at Penn State University.
The existing receiver technology, however, does have its limitations. "Most searches assume some intent, like beacons, because our receivers have a sensitivity limit to a minimum transmitter power beyond anything we unintentionally send out,⁘ noted Tusay.
However, with the advent of more sophisticated equipment, like the upcoming Square Kilometer Array (SKA), Tusay believes we could soon detect signals from extraterrestrial civilizations communicating with their spacecraft.
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