144 exoplanet systems and 3 million stars – still signs of life

Since we started picking up radio waves From outer space at the beginning of the twentieth century, we are searching for an answer to the question of whether it is possible to be alone in this universe. Sometimes more, sometimes less intense, but the search for extraterrestrial life has not been completely abandoned. Even the view that these organisms would be single-celled organisms rather than an advanced civilization could not dampen our enthusiasm.

No wonder we can see the results of subsequent studies in which astronomers have used the telescope The Murchison Widefield Matrix (MWA) In Australia, they searched space for low-frequency radio waves.

The post titled A Search for Technosignatures Towards the Galactic Center at 150MHz is already the fourth in the same series and delivers exactly the same results as the previous three, i.e. The center of our galaxyand more specifically near the radio source Sagittarius A*, on which the researchers focused, no traces of life were found.

Astronomers have researched for this purpose 144 extrasolar planetary systemsbut interestingly, this time they did not focus on biosignatures, such as the molecules or isotopes that indicate the presence of life, which are the basis of most similar studies, but Technomarkers.

These are defined differently in different studies, but as the name suggests, they are about Signs indicating the use of technology. like so dyson fieldi.e. a hypothetical giant structure surrounding a star, enabling civilization to use almost all of its energy – according to the researchers, such projects should leave a trace in the form of radiation leaks.

It is also often referred to as presence Freonwhich may play a similar informative role, but are difficult to detect, and radio wavesAlthough there is always a risk that they have a natural source – nevertheless, they are exactly what astronomers focus on in this new study. And how did they do?

after scanning 144 extrasolar planetary systems and more than 3 million stars In the center of the galaxy, the authors summarized their efforts as follows – “No reliable technical indicators were discovered.” Does that mean they don’t exist?