There have been many reports about signals from outer space. But a new study has examined the opposite, whether alien civilizations can find humanity by detecting radio signals leaking from cell phone towers on Earth. By simulating leaks from base stations around the world, the team tried to find out if possible advanced aliens around nearby stars could detect it using equipment equivalent to what we have on Earth.
“In terms of detectability, we concluded that any nearby civilization located within 10 light-years of Earth and equipped with a receiver system comparable to the GBT [Green Bank radio telescope] would not be able to detect Earth’s mobile tower leak,” the team said. However, using current Earth technology, it is not possible for us to detect alien life forms that are leaking similar signals.
“However, mobile systems are in their infancy, and future development of this technology (for example, 5G systems and beyond) indicates that this component of Earth leakage will continue to increase in strength over time,” the researchers write. The observer can determine various details of the nature of our planet and the distribution of technology on its surface.”
According to the team, this ability to identify will include being able to create a model of the Earth that shows the distribution of natural terrain, vegetation, oceans and ice.
Lead author Professor Mike Garret, director of the Jodrell Bank Center for Astrophysics at the University of Manchester, said in a statement: “I’ve heard many colleagues suggest that the Earth has become increasingly radio silent in recent years – I’ve always argued against that claim,” he continued. While it is true that we have a large number of powerful TV and radio transmitters, the prevalence of mobile communication systems worldwide is much greater. While each system individually represents relatively low radio powers, the spectrum created by billions of these devices together is important.”
Predictably, aliens with more advanced listening equipment will have a better chance of intercepting our signals leaking into space, and the more likely this will happen as our own technology advances.
“Current estimates show that we will have more than a hundred thousand satellites in low Earth orbit and beyond,” adds Garrett. “Earth is already abnormally bright in the radio part of the spectrum; If this trend continues, we could be easily detectable by any advanced civilization with the right technology.”
The study is published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
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