Recent research found that cell phone towers may be the source of radio signals that could lead to intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations on Earth. The study, titled "Simulation of the Earth's Radio-Leakage From Mobile Towers as Seen From Selected Nearby Stellar Systems" published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggests that these signals are already detectable by advanced aliens in nearby star systems and could become even more powerful, making it easier for aliens to detect our planet.
The director of Jodrell Bank Center for Astrophysics at The University of Manchester, Mike Garrett, said in a press release that Earth is already emitting bright radio signals that can be detected by advanced civilizations with appropriate technology. And if the trend continues, our planet will become even more detectable.
Earth Is Giving Off Plenty of Radio Signals
Garrett and his team used crowd-sourced data to simulate radio signal leakage from cell phone towers to determine how easy it would be for these signals to be detected by other planets.
Ramiro Saide, an intern at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory of the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institution, found that Earth gives off plenty of signs of technologically advanced life, with radio leakage coming from cell phone towers, satellite communications, and internet signals.
These signals could be picked up by hypothetical extraterrestrial civilizations living around nearby stars, including Barnard's star. However, the signals would only be detectable to aliens with more sensitive instruments than those that currently exist on Earth.
Although the researchers noted that the Earth is becoming quieter in terms of radio waves, each system represents relatively low radio powers individually. Nonetheless, the integrated spectrum of billions of these devices emitting radio signals is substantial.
As the signals become louder and farther-flung, or as aliens with less sophisticated technology are more likely to detect them, Earth's radio waves could become more detectable to any advanced civilizations with the right technology.
Despite the researchers' findings, the likelihood of extraterrestrial civilizations detecting Earth's radio signals remains uncertain. It is also possible that other forms of communication, such as laser beams, could be used instead of radio waves to avoid detection by hostile extraterrestrial civilizations.
Types of Radio Signals Extraterrestrial Civilizations May Detect
The authors of the study plan to expand their research to include other sources that contribute to Earth's radio leakage signature, Study Finds reported. They will investigate how powerful civilian and military radars, new digital broadcasting systems, Wi-Fi networks, mobile phones, and the growing number of low Earth orbit satellites, including the Starlink system, affect the planet's radio signals.
The Starlink system is a SpaceX project that uses small satellites in low Earth orbit to provide global broadband internet coverage. Over 1,700 satellites have already been launched, with plans for thousands more to achieve comprehensive global coverage.
As the number of satellites and radio-emitting technologies on Earth continues to grow, the planet's radio signature becomes more detectable by advanced civilizations with the right technology. The researchers estimate that before the end of the decade, there will be over 100,000 satellites in low Earth orbit and beyond, increasing the chances of detection.
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