Aliens Could Use Supernova for Communication

Alien civilizations may use supernovae as a way to attract the attention of human astronomers to their messages. Researchers are now focusing on the region around the nearest supernova, SN 2023ixf, to observe any potential extraterrestrial signals. The supernova was discovered by Japanese amateur astronomer Koichi Itagaki on May 19, 2023, and is located just 21 million light-years away from Earth. According to the NOIRLab, SN 2023ixf is a core-collapse supernova that occurs when a celestial body with a solar mass of around 8 to 10 runs out of atomic fuel and collapses. The remaining debris forms either a black hole or a neutron star. During this spectacular explosion, the outer part of the star’s core collapses at an impressive speed of 250 million km/h, which is about 23 percent of the speed of light.

Scientists from the University of Washington, the SETI Institute, Yale University, and Smith College have published a study on the preprint server arXiv, suggesting that extraterrestrial civilizations that are at least as advanced as humans could use supernovae as a means of communication. The study is based on the assumption that such a civilization would be aware that a significant astronomical event like a supernova would attract the attention of scientists. Aliens could assume that humans or another intelligent civilization would observe the supernova and then send a message in that direction. In response to this assumption, the researchers have decided to search for extraterrestrial signals in the specific region around the supernova, which has been defined by a SETI ellipsoid. The ellipsoid is a three-dimensional oval structure that contains the supernova and is based on the time frame in which both humans and hypothetical extraterrestrial life forms can observe the light of the supernova.

The research team plans to explore the area around the supernova monthly over a period of several months using data from all radio telescopes and the Byrd Green Bank Radio Telescope. While the likelihood of discovering such a signal is low, the scientists argue that it would be regrettable not to try in case a signal is sent and no one on Earth receives it. The study suggests that intelligent alien civilizations may use supernovae as a way to communicate with other civilizations, and it is up to human astronomers to be vigilant and open to the possibility of receiving such messages.