Aliens might be using a nearby supernova to get our attention, new study suggests


Astronomers have their eyes on a brand new ultrabright explosion in area: a Kind II supernova within the Pinwheel Galaxy (also called M101). A Kind II supernova is the catastrophic finish to an enormous star’s life, and this new one, referred to as SN 2023ixf, is the closest bang to Earth in additional than a decade.

Whereas many astronomers are concerned about seeing the top of a star’s life, a small group of others is questioning one thing else: May this flash of sunshine additionally assist us discover messages from aliens? A staff of researchers from the Seek for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute and the  College of Washington assume it would.