Is that you, Ross?

Typical Red Dwarf    (NASA image)

Imagine being put on hold for hours, with no discernible music playing, until finally someone picks up.

Such was the plight of researchers at the Arecibo Observatory - only worse, much worse.  They had been putting out feelers for decades, with not a Martian responding. 

Then something odd occurred, perhaps something wondrous.  Ross 128, “a small, dim star located about 11 light-years from Earth,” may have sent back a message.  “Almost periodic” radio signals “appear to be coming” from Ross to us, hopefully with love.

Thus far, we have not detected any planets near Ross.  But who knows?  Possibly us - but only after Arecibo redoubles efforts to “stare down” this remote possibility…

Resources

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/astronomers-have-detected-strange-signals-coming-from-a-star-11-light-years-away/ar-BBEvdqq?OCID=ansmsnnews11 

Copyright July 17, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved