In 1977, Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope detected an unusually strong signal from outer space. It lasted 72 seconds. And because it was sent on a specific frequency, scientists wondered if the signal was deliberately transmitted from an intelligent source. Since then, the Wow! Signal has not been repeated – but scientists have discovered others like it…
Episode Source Material
PRINT NEWS
DOCUMENTARIES (FILM & TV)
ACADEMIC PAPERS
- The Astronomical Journal (Volume 160, number 4): An ATA search for a repetition of the Wow signal by G.R. Harp, R.H. Gray, J. Richards, G.S. Shostak, and J.C. Tarter. Published September 11, 2020.
- Is the Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Alien Technology by ADam Hibberd, Adam Crowl and Abraham Loeb. Astronomy Department, Harvard University, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge MA 02138 USA. Published July 17th, 2025.
WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA/MESSAGE BOARDS
- As NASA Missions Study Interstellar Comet Hubble Makes Size Estimate. By NASA Hubble Mission Team.
- 3I/ATLAS is 7 miles wide – the largest interstellar object ever seen – new photos from Vera C. Rubin Observatory reveal. By Harry Baker.
- That Mysterious Comet Heading Toward Us Might Be An Alien Ship Sending Out Probes by Luis Prada.
- Manhattan-sized interstellar object 3I/ATLAS could release mini probes that hit Earth, experts warn by Shane Gavin.
- Is 3I/ATLAS the Key to the Wow Signal Mystery by Mark Anthony Biddle.
- Mysterious ‘Wow!’ radio signal might finally have an explanation – and no, it’s not aliens. (online article).
- The “Wow!” Signal. (online article).
- The Wow! Signal: a lingering mystery or natural phenomenon? (online article).
- The “Wow! Signal,” not surprisingly, was a dud. (online article).
- The Wow! Signal might not have been aliens – but a weird cosmic outburst. (online article).
- Wow! Signal explained after 40 years? (online article).
- The Wow! signal: a message from an extra-terrestrial civilization? (online article).
- Make invisible ink! (website).
- Abel Mendez (Google scholar search results).
- A mysterious signal looked like a sign of alien technology – but it turned out to be radio interference. (online article).
- Scientists looking for aliens investigate radio beam ‘from nearby star.’ (online article).
- One man’s quest to investigate the mysterious “Wow!” signal. (online article).
- How long is a day on each planet? (online article).
- Solar flares (radio blackouts.) (website).
- If comets melt, why do they seem to last for long periods of time? (website).
- About that “promising” SETI signal… (online article).
- SETI detects intriguing signal. (online article).
- Catch a wave: radio waves and how they work. (website).
- Jerry Ehman (LinkedIn profile).
- Infamous ‘Wow! Signal’ that hinted at aliens may actually be an exceptionally rare cosmic event. (online article).
- Messier 55. (website).
- “Wow! Signal” was likely the radio emission of a comet. (online article).
- Big Ear memorial website. (webpage).
- Proxima Centauri. (Wikipedia article).
- The Allen Telescope Array (ATA). (website).