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Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

news.cornell.edu

11–20 of 86 posts

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#11
post #3

From a Jupiter-like gas giant type exoplanet, which generate radio emissions through entirely natural processes just like the gas giants in our own solar system. The title is a tad more spectacular than the actual discovery.

yes, what is novel here is that the exoplanet was detected using radio (in other words the discovery of the planet is what is significant, not the signal)

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#12
post #10
post #3

From a Jupiter-like gas giant type exoplanet, which generate radio emissions through entirely natural processes just like the gas giants in our own solar system. The title is a tad more spectacular than the actual discovery.

This comment left me wondering: What's the astronomy equivalent of “in mice”?

Gotta be something like "(but it's probably not aliens)", right?

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#13
post #9

Is “signal” the correct word to use for naturally occurring radio bursts? I thought that word implied radio waves used to convey meaning.

I’ve seen many stretch the term over the years, but many in the scientific community know it’s watered down enough to mean “something was emitted”

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#14
It seems that we expect an alien civilization, if it exists, to follow a similar discovery path as we did. As such we listen for radio signals as a way of communication, because that's what we are doing.

How likely is it for another civilization to follow the same path? Some of our breakthrough scientific advances happened by accident. What are the odds that we missed some big new technologies because we haven't happened upon the accident yet, even though it was right here all the time?

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#15
post #7
post #3

From a Jupiter-like gas giant type exoplanet, which generate radio emissions through entirely natural processes just like the gas giants in our own solar system. The title is a tad more spectacular than the actual discovery.

I guess significance here is that if we can isolate radio signals from naturally-emitting planet, we potentially can isolate radio signals from artificially-emitting planet.

I was going to reply that it might be difficult to match the power of something like Jupiter's radio signals. However, it turns out that Jupiter's decametric radio emissions are only about the equivalent of a megawatt antenna[1]. The US air force already has a radar with a peak power of 32 megawatts[2]. So with sufficient motivation, in principle we or an alien civilization could certainly send regular signals like that.

[1] https://www.space.com/26419-jupiter-radio-waves-alien-life.h...

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eglin_AFB_Site_C-6

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#16
post #3

From a Jupiter-like gas giant type exoplanet, which generate radio emissions through entirely natural processes just like the gas giants in our own solar system. The title is a tad more spectacular than the actual discovery.

The title is in an odd spot where, on the face, it is completely anodyne, and not at all misleading or “clickbait.” Yet even sensible readers (like me!) see “radio” and “exoplanet” in the same sentence and think “ALIENS!”

Very awkward spot for the science PR people writing this. It’s almost like it needs extra words to prevent people from adding

“Possible (But Definitely Non-Alien) Radio Emission From Exoplanet (Which Cannot Support Life) Detected”

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#17
post #9

Is “signal” the correct word to use for naturally occurring radio bursts? I thought that word implied radio waves used to convey meaning.

Signal is the emission of interest, however it occurs. Noise is the other stuff. In common use though people mentally (and literally) drop the first word from "modulated signal" and seize upon signal. It's normal and writers should make an effort to use unmodulated or, probably better, natural in such descriptions. Emission isn't a bad word for this context, but it's still all encompassing and easy to mentally go the wrong direction when reading it.

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#18
post #3

From a Jupiter-like gas giant type exoplanet, which generate radio emissions through entirely natural processes just like the gas giants in our own solar system. The title is a tad more spectacular than the actual discovery.

The title is in an odd spot where, on the face, it is completely anodyne, and not at all misleading or “clickbait.” Yet even sensible readers (like me!) see “radio” and “exoplanet” in the same sentence and think “ALIENS!” Very awkward spot for the science PR people writing this. It’s almost like it needs extra words to prevent people from adding “Possible (But Definitely Non-Alien) Radio Emission From Exoplanet (Whic…

"Natural Radio Emission" seems to clarify things just fine.

Re: Possible Radio Emission from Exoplanet Detected

#20

It seems that we expect an alien civilization, if it exists, to follow a similar discovery path as we did. As such we listen for radio signals as a way of communication, because that's what we are doing. How likely is it for another civilization to follow the same path? Some of our breakthrough scientific advances happened by accident. What are the odds that we missed some big new technologies because we haven't happ…

While your basic point stands, I have to point out that "wireless telegraphy", like many other inventions, was almost simultaneously invented on different sides of the Atlantic. There are many inventions which have American and European "inventors", because the news of one had not gotten across the Atlantic to the other before they invented it as well. Which suggests, that once an invention is possible, it is likely to be discovered, whether an accident is involved or not.
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