Scientists studying a group of nearby stars have observed "very strange signals" coming from one of those stars.
Astronomers at the Arecibo Observatory on the island of Puerto Rico said they noticed mysterious pulses coming from the star Ross 128, a small star in the constellation of the Virgin.
The signals do not appear to be the result of interference, because they are unique to this specific star, and are not observed when looking at other stars before and after this star.
Scientists say there are three possible explanations for these strange signals. First, they come from the same star, that is, emissions similar to the solar flares from our sun. The second explanation is that its source is another thing located in the same sector of the sky, the third being that the satellites originated in the upper orbits around the Earth.
But each of these interpretations seems incomplete. Solar flares usually appear at frequencies lower than those received from the star, and are more widely dispersed than expected.
There does not seem to be a body near the star "Ross 128" that can throw such signals. Finally, satellites have never sent signals of the kind that is being picked up.
"This is not to say that scientists tend to assume that space objects are the source of these signals," said Apple Mendes, an astronomer and director of the Laboratory for Planetary Qualification, in a statement on the lab's Web site. Other better interpretations ".
Scientists hope to look into more details to understand more about the signals and their source. Astronomers will announce the results of their research in more detail in the coming days.