SETI researchers are buzzing about a strong spike in radio signals that seemed to come from the direction of a sunlike star in the constellation Hercules, known as HD 164595. The signal conceivably fits the profile for an intentional transmission from an extraterrestrial source � but it could also be a case of earthly radio interference, or a microlensing event in which the star�s gravitational field focused stray signals coming from much farther away.

In any case, the blip is interesting enough to merit discussion by those who specialize in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI � including Centauri Dreams� Paul Gilster, who brought the case into the public eye this weekend. At least two SETI research groups are aiming to track HD 164595 tonight. The SETI Institute is using the Allen Telescope Array in northern California, while METI International is looking to the Boquete Optical SETI Observatory in Panama.

Gilster reports that the signal spike was detected more than a year ago, on May 15, 2015, by the RATAN-600 radio telescope in Zelenchukskaya. That facility is in the Russian republic of Karachay-Cherkessia, not far from the Georgian border. The apparent source of the signal, HD 164595, is interesting for a couple of reasons: It�s a sunlike star, about 95 light-years away from Earth, and it�s already known to have at least one �warm Neptune� planet called HD 164595 b. �There could, of course, be other planets still undetected in this system,� Gilster says.

These days SETI Institute is like a dog that tried to catch too many cars. They tended to overreact when anything was detected, and then proven to be cosmic background noise or even local signals. They are not as well funded as they were in the 90's. They are desperate to have anything come up that sparks donor's interest.

Basically if you stand outside their door and go "Beeeep!, Beeeep!, Beeeep!" with your mouth, someone will come out to examine you.

It's great NASA clickbait though

Billions of galaxies folks,IMO it takes a small narrow minded brain to still believe we are alone in the universe.First contact could very well be messages in code for as long as we can stand it.

Even if we were able to validate a message had intelligent origins, the senders would undoubtedly be long extinct by the time we received it.

Randy Quaid is the one who needs saving! Lol

Not at 95 lightyears distance. That's right in the neighborhood (and would be somewhat scary).

Billions of galaxies folks,IMO it takes a small narrow minded brain to still believe we are alone in the universe.