Repetitive Signals in the Milky Way Could Unlock the Mysteries of Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Today’s stories include One-Third of Red Dwarf Exoplanets Could Be in Habitable Zone and Exploring Life's Origins and Illuminating a Key Term in the Drake Equation.

Quest for Alien Signals in the Heart of the Milky Way Takes Off, reports the SETI Institute. "called the Breakthrough Listen Investigation for Periodic Spectral Signals (BLIPSS). Such repetitive patterns could be the key to unlocking the mysteries of extraterrestrial intelligence in our galaxy."

One-Third of Red Dwarf Exoplanets Could Be in Habitable Zone--A team of U.S. astronomers has discovered that two-thirds of the planets around M dwarfs (red dwarf stars) could be roasted by extreme tidal forces, sterilizing them. But that leaves one-third of the planets that could be in an orbit close enough, and gentle enough, to hold onto liquid water and possibly harbor life, reports SciNews.

LIGO is finally back — and it’s better than ever, reports Inverse. "Since 2020, the Laser Interferometric Gravitational-Wave Observatory — commonly known as LIGO — has been sitting dormant while it underwent some exciting upgrades. These improvements will significantly boost the sensitivity of LIGO and should allow the facility to observe more-distant objects that produce smaller ripples in spacetime."

Exploring Life's Origins and Illuminating a Key Term in the Drake Equation, reports the SETI Institute. "Habitable planets or moons possessing liquid water at their surface are considered candidates to support life as we know it, but can these worlds support the spontaneous origin of life called for in the Drake equation?"

Black Hole Paradox: Unstable X-ray Emissions Shake Foundations of Particle Acceleration Theory, reports SciTechDaily. "Contradicting long-standing theories, a recent study has found that x-ray emissions from black hole jets vary over short periods, and occur throughout the jets rather than solely at their origin. The research, based on data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, necessitates a reassessment of how particle acceleration works in these jets and potentially the wider universe."

"Vacuum Decay" - The Most Spectacular End To The Universe--Forget the heat death or the big crunch, this is the weirdest way for the universe to end, reports Dr. Affredo Carpineti for IFL Science.

‘Monster stars’ 10,000 times bigger than the Sun detected for first time, reports INDY 100. "Today, thanks to the data collected by the James-Webb Space Telescope, we believe we have found a first clue of the presence of these extraordinary stars," says astrophysicist Corinne Charbonnel of the University of Geneva."

Earth may have debris from alien star systems trapped in its orbit, new research suggests, reports Robert Lea for Live Science.

Curated by The Galaxy Report editorial staff.