Researchers are investigating if strong signal from SETI is an 'extraterrestrial civilization'

SETI has detected radiation from a nearby star.
(Image credit: iStock)

Astronomers searching for life on other planets have picked up a "strong signal" that has the faintest chance of indicating an "extraterrestrial civilization," Ars Technica reports. The signal comes from the direction of a star about 95 light years from Earth, and has at least one nearby planet.

The star, HD 164595, is part of the constellation Hercules; the signal was discovered by the RATAN-600 radio telescope in Zelenchukskaya, Russia. "This is a bit of a puzzling story, as the Russians found this signal a year ago or so, but just didn't let others know," senior astronomer at the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, told GeekWire.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.