Scientists from the Center of Planetary Science have recently claimed to have solved the mystery surrounding the “Wow!” signal that was detected in 1977. The team of researchers, led by Antonio Paris, believes that the signal originated from a previously unknown comet. This was a groundbreaking discovery since, for over four decades, astronomers have been baffled by the origin and nature of the radio signal.

Paris and his team have presented evidence in their paper, published in the Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences. According to their theory, a comet was passing near Earth when the signal was detected, and the radio waves were refracted or bent by the icy material in the comet’s tail. As a result, it would have appeared much brighter and potent than the surrounding space.

The discovery of the source of the “Wow!” signal provides a significant breakthrough in our understanding of the universe. It also demonstrates how missing pieces of the puzzle can be solved when scientists revisit old findings with the latest knowledge and technology. Overall, this study highlights the continued importance of astronomy research and how it can provide answers to the most profound questions about the universe we inhabit.

In August of 1977, a team of scientists recorded an unusual signal at the Ohio State observatory called the “Big Ear.” The 72-second signal was so strong that one team member wrote “Wow!” on the readout. Despite many attempts to explain the origin of the signal, no one had been able to provide a valid explanation, and some suggested it could be from aliens. The signal was transmitted at the frequency of hydrogen, which added to the mystery.

Last year, however, a team at the CPS suggested that the signal may have come from a hydrogen cloud accompanying a comet. This explanation gained momentum as two comets, P/2008 Y2(Gibbs) and 266/P Christensen, were discovered to have been in the same part of the sky as the Big Ear on the day of the signal. These comets were not yet known at the time of the signal, but the team was able to test their hypothesis when the same comets appeared in the night sky between November 2016 and February 2017.

Thus, it appears that the mysterious “Wow!” signal was likely the result of a hydrogen cloud accompanying a comet that passed by the Big Ear observatory on that fateful day. This explanation finally puts to rest the decades-long search for an explanation of the signal.

In a recent study, the team revealed that radio signals originating from 266/P Christensen closely matched those of the famous Wow! signal that was detected four decades ago. To further establish the reliability of their findings, they analyzed data from three other comets and found similar signals. Although they cannot confirm with complete certainty that the Wow! signal came from 266/P Christensen, they are confident in their belief that it was indeed emitted by a comet. The results of this research provide essential insights into the nature of comets and their impact on our understanding of the universe.”

The Center for Planetary Science proposed a hypothesis in 2016 that a comet or its hydrogen cloud could be responsible for the mysterious “Wow!” Signal. To validate this theory, the center conducted 200 observations in the radio spectrum between November 27, 2016 to February 24, 2017. During these observations, it was discovered that comet 266/P Christensen emitted a radio signal at 1420.25 MHz, which was within 1° (60 arcminutes) of the known celestial coordinates of the comet as it passed by the location of the “Wow!” Signal.

To test if the radio signal from comet 266/P Christensen was the source of the “Wow!” Signal, the center conducted a series of experiments. It was determined that known celestial sources at 1420 MHz, such as pulsars and active galactic nuclei, were not within 15° of comet 266/P Christensen. When the 10-meter radio telescope was moved 1° away from the comet, the 1420.25 MHz signal disappeared. However, when the telescope was repositioned back near the comet, the radio signal reappeared.

To further test the hypothesis, the center observed three other comets from the JPL Small Bodies database: P/2013 EW90 (Tenagra), P/2016 J1-A (PANSTARRS), and 237P/LINEAR. During observations of these comets, a radio signal at 1420 MHz was detected. Therefore, the investigation concludes that cometary spectra are detectable at 1420 MHz, and the “Wow!” Signal was a natural phenomenon from a Solar System body.