The Wow Signal: Space's Most Mysterious Hello

On August 15 in Science History, one significant event took place in 1977 when the Big Ear radio telescope at Ohio State University detected a strong, narrowband radio signal from space. This signal, known as the "Wow!" signal, lasted for 72 seconds and was so powerful that it stood out from the background noise. The signal was detected by astronomer Jerry R. Ehman, who was so amazed by its intensity that he circled it on the computer printout and wrote "Wow!" next to it, hence the name.

The "Wow!" signal had a frequency of 1420 MHz, which is the same frequency as the hydrogen line, a well-known spectral line in radio astronomy. This frequency is significant because it is not commonly used by human-made satellites or spacecraft, and it is also a frequency at which interstellar gas can absorb and emit radiation.

The characteristics of the signal, including its narrowband nature and its duration, led many to speculate that it could have been a transmission from an extraterrestrial intelligence. The signal appeared to come from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, near a star called Tau Sagittarii.

Despite numerous attempts to detect the signal again, including a 2020 search by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Green Bank Telescope, the "Wow!" signal has never been detected again. This has led to various theories about its origin, ranging from a previously unknown natural phenomenon to a one-time transmission from an alien civilization.

The mystery surrounding the "Wow!" signal has captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike, and it remains one of the most intriguing and enigmatic events in the history of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). The detection of the signal has also served as an inspiration for many scientists to continue the search for signs of intelligent life beyond Earth.

While the true nature of the "Wow!" signal may never be known, its detection on August 15, 1977, remains a significant moment in the history of science and our ongoing quest to understand our place in the universe.


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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to This Moment in Science History podcast on August fifteenth.
In science history, one significant event took place in nineteen
seventy seven when the Big Ear radio telescope at Ohio
State University detected a strong, narrow band radio signal from space.
This signal, known as the Wow signal, lasted for seventy

(00:21):
two seconds and was so powerful that it stood out
from the background noise. The signal was detected by astronomer
Cherry R. Emmon, who was so amazed by its intensity
that he circled it on the computer print out and
wrote Wow next to it, hence the name. The Wow

(00:42):
signal had a frequency of fourteen twenty megahertz, which is
the same frequency as the hydrogen line, a well known
spectral line in radio astronomy. This frequency is significant because
it is not commonly used by human made satellites or spacecraft,
and it is also a frequency at which interstellar gets
can absorb and emit radiation. The characteristics of the signal,

(01:04):
including its narrow band nature and its duration, led many
to speculate that it could have been a transmission from
an extraterrestrial intelligence. The signal appeared to come from the
direction of the constellation Sagittarius near a star called Tao Sagittari.
Despite numerous attempts to detect the signal again, including a
twenty twenty search by the National Radio Astronomy Observatories Green

(01:28):
Bank Telescope, but WOW signal has never been detected again.
This has led to various theories about its origin, ranging
from a previously unknown natural phenomenon to a one time
transmission from an alien civilization. The mystery surrounding the Palate
WOW signal has captured the imagination of scientists and the

(01:50):
public alike, and it remains one of the most intriguing
and enigmatic events in the history of the Search for
Extraterrestrial Intelligence SETI. The detection of the signal has also
served as an inspiration for many scientists to continue the
search for signs of intelligent life beyond Earth. While the
true nature of d WOW signal may never be known,

(02:12):
its detection on August fifteenth, nineteen seventy seven remains a
significant moment in the history of science and our ongoing
quest to understand our place in the universe. And that
wraps it up for another episode. Please subscribe and join
us tomorrow for another great moment in science. This has

(02:34):
been a quiet please Studios Production. For more check out
Quiet Please dot a I. Thank you for listening.