Ross 128 calling?

[brian livesey]

In May of this year, radio astronomers at the Arecibo radio dish detected a "weird" signal from the star Ross 128 that lies at a distance of 11 light years. The signal appeared to be quasi- periodic, which can give the impression of an organised signal, rather than a naturally occuring random one.
However, Abel Mendez, the research team-leader said," In case you are wondering, the aliens hypothesis is at the bottom of many other better explanations."
There are a range of radio signals that could be mistaken for a broadcast signal. Radio pulsars, discovered in the 1960s, are one possible candidate. These are rapidly rotating neutron stars that produce a regular "blip". The signal from Ross 128 arrived as quasi-periodic radio pulses and across a wide range of frequencies.
The Arecibo observations made on May 12 were in the 4-5 GHz range and lasted for 10 minutes. There are natural processes that can mimic a supposed signal from extraterrestrials. Solar flares, for example, emanating from red dwarfs could produce misleading radio signals.
The Ross 128 signals were, however, different from signals detected from other stars.
There is a possibility that the mystery signal was from an artificial satellite, although such a signal has never been detected before.
The Aricebo team is planning to make further observations of Ross 128. ET buffs, hold your breath, you never know what they might decipher .

[Brian]

There is a possiblity that the mystery signal was from an artificial satellite, although such a signal has never been detected before.

Do they mean an Earth satellite or an alien satellite around Ross 128?

[brian livesey]

That would be an Earth satellite.

[brian livesey]

There hasn't been a definitive ET signal from Ross 128b, but the Earth-sized exoplanet is considered to have a relatively habitable climate, ranging from -60C to 20C. This means that the planet could have free water on its surface.
Another consideration is that the red dwarf that the planet orbits is relatively "quiet" with regard to lethal eruptions of UV and X-rays. Scientists say that Ross 128b only receives 1.38 times the radiation that Earth receives from the Sun - many red dwarfs pour out lethal amounts of radiation into their habitable zones.
Dr. Xavier Bonfils at the University of Grenoble, who led the team that made the exoplanet discovery, said: "It seems that Ross 128 is a much quieter star, and so its planets might be the closest known comfortable abode for possible life."