Is the Signal from Proxima Centauri a Sign of Alien Technology?

Is the signal picked from Proxima Centauri a sign of alien technology? Most probably it is not. However, in the meticulously necessary workings of the scientific method, we should wait for the peer-reviewed papers that will soon be published before reaching a conclusive answer. This article delves into a similar astronomical event in the past to explore the context and meticulousness involved in such discoveries.

A Historical Precedent: The LGM Event

During my Ph.D. student days at Stanford’s Radio Science Lab, a similar situation unfolded in 1968. The event, now referred to as the 'LGM' (Little Green Men) event, took six months to conclude that the precise pulses observed were not an alien beacon but a new astrophysical phenomenon—a 'missing link' in black holes.

As a Research Assistant, on January 26, 1968, I was on my way to the top of the hilltop where the 'Big Dish' was located. However, the parking lot was full, and the main door to the operating building was unusually locked. After a long wait, the superintendent, Bill, informed me that I wouldn't be able to use the radio telescope for my thesis research because it was being used for a special purpose from London.

I was told it was "LGM," meaning 'Little Green Men,' now known as SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). Bill explained, 'Your academic adviser, Prof. Ronald Bracewell, along with Prof. Villard, Prof. Sturrock, the whole astrophysics-radio science lab staff, are here, so I’m sorry, but this will take the whole day.'

The Discovery Behind the Code

The call from Prof. Anthony Hewish at Cambridge University, a good friend of Prof. Ronald Bracewell, led to the collaboration between Hewish and Bracewell. Hewish was studying interstellar medium through VHF/UHF radio scintillations. In 1967, one of his students, Jocelyn Bell, discovered strange repetitive pulses with precise celestial coordinates.

The first conjectures were: man-made signals from the ground, satellites originating from space, or LGM. As is usual in new scientific discoveries, the need to discuss the hypothesis with someone trustworthy emerged. So, Prof. Hewish called Prof. Bracewell, who then asked to use the 150ft dish at Stanford University for a double opinion.

Following extensive analysis, the astrophysicists concluded that the source was an astrophysical phenomenon, not an extraterrestrial civilization. This led to the discovery of the first PULSAR (Pulsating Radio Stars), which established the source as a small object, possibly a white dwarf or a neutron star. Jocelyn Bell continued her research and graduated in 1969, while I completed my Ph.D. in 1970, using the 'Big Dish.'

Recognition and Reflection

In 2011, at an URSI World meeting, Jocelyn Bell Burnell was invited to attend as a recognition for her contribution. Prof. Anthony Hewish had received the 1974 Nobel Prize for the discovery of neutron/pulsar stars, and the Committee organized a recognition for Jocelyn's contribution. Although I was present, the large number of attendees prevented any personal interaction with her. We later corresponded through emails, and Jocelyn was amazed by the details of my story and recalled the long delay of six months compared to her six-month period in 1967.

Bell highlighted the discovery of the first pulsar affected her research deeply. This event underscores the importance and impact of such discoveries on scientific research and the human understanding of the universe.

Reflections on Extraterrestrial Signals

In the absence of significant concrete evidence, it is unlikely that the Proxima Centauri signal is of alien origin. However, what it might be is an astrophysical phenomenon or a technological signal from an extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). As with past events, the most probable solution is a human origin.

The search for extraterrestrial life in other parts of the universe is ongoing, and spotting technological civilizations would be perhaps the most remarkable discovery. Once we learn how to look for them, the possibilities become even more intriguing.

In conclusion, extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof, but they can certainly lead to extraordinary discoveries. Stay tuned for updates as peer-reviewed papers and further research help us understand the nature of the Proxima Centauri signal.