Monitoring in a continuum with the RATAN-600 astronomical candidate objects SETI

[Via Google Translate] August 30, 2016 in a number of media reports about the possible detection of the RATAN-600 radio signal associated with the activity of an extraterrestrial civilization, in this connection, we consider it necessary to give an official comment.

Over the past few years, staff SINP MSU (Institute of Nuclear Physics of Moscow State University named Skobeltsyn) jointly c SAO staff conducted exploratory work on the study of astronomical objects – SETI candidates (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). SETI – the common name of projects and activities to search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The program is focused on the search for artificial radio emission. Research is being conducted on the RATAN-600 using a broadband continuum radiometers in the frequency range 1-22.7 GHz. Conducting such observations on RATAN-600 has been made possible thanks to its large collecting surface – thousands of square meters, which is why the high sensitivity allows the telescope to search for radio signals are extremely weak in the universe, which include SETI objects. The objects of study for this program are Sun-like stars with planets and Sun-like stars, planets whose presence is unknown.

Under this program, in 2015 on one of the objects (the star HD164595 system in the constellation of Hercules), it was detected interesting radio signal at a wavelength of 2.7 cm. The processing and signal analysis revealed that the most likely, it’s still a signal of terrestrial origin.

With regard to other research facilities on RATAN-600, it is currently too early to talk about the reliability of the scientific results. The measurements can evaluate radio emission study areas just to the upper limit of detection. With confidence we can say that the search signal is not detected.

For contact – Sotnikova Yu.V. sjv@sao.ru