OTD In Space - August 15: 'Wow!' Mystery Signal Boosts Search For E.T.
On Aug. 15, 1977, astronomers using Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope detected the famous "Wow!" signal.
To this day, it is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we are not alone in the universe. Astronomer Jerry Ehman was using the telescope to scan a region in the constellation Sagittarius when it detected a weird, 72-second-long radio burst. The signal was too strong to be explained by background noise, and researchers determined that it was very unlikely that this signal came from anything on Earth. Despite their best efforts, astronomers have not been able to detect any other signals like it.
To this day, it is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we are not alone in the universe. Astronomer Jerry Ehman was using the telescope to scan a region in the constellation Sagittarius when it detected a weird, 72-second-long radio burst. The signal was too strong to be explained by background noise, and researchers determined that it was very unlikely that this signal came from anything on Earth. Despite their best efforts, astronomers have not been able to detect any other signals like it.
Transcript
00:00On this day in space.
00:03In 1977, astronomers using Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope
00:08detected the famous WOW signal,
00:10which to this day is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we are not alone in the universe.
00:14Astronomer Jerry Amon was using the telescope to scan a region in the constellation Sagittarius
00:19when it detected a 72 second long radio burst.
00:22The signal was too strong to be explained by background noise
00:25and researchers determined that it was very unlikely that the signal came from anything on Earth.
00:29Despite their best efforts, astronomers have not been able to detect any other radio signals like it.
00:33And that's what happened on this day in space.
00:36♪