The “Wow!” signal was likely from extraterrestrial source, and more powerful

Meaning of “extraterrestrial” and likelihood of aliens

• Multiple commenters stress that “extraterrestrial” in the paper means “not from Earth,” not “alien civilization.”
• Some argue that, given current knowledge, an artificial alien signal is still “among the best” explanations, simply because no definitive natural mechanism is known.
• Others push back hard: lack of a known alternative is not evidence for aliens, history is full of misattributed “alien” phenomena (e.g., early pulsars), and statistically aliens remain unlikely.

New research and astrophysical explanations

• The linked work (“Arecibo Wow! I/II”) reanalyzes archival Ohio SETI data and Arecibo measurements.
• It proposes that small, cold neutral hydrogen (HI) clouds near Sagittarius could produce a strong, narrowband hydrogen-line signal via mechanisms like maser flares or magnetar/SGR-triggered brightening.
• These papers:
  • Strengthen the case the signal was truly extraterrestrial (galactic, not terrestrial interference).
  • Argue for an astrophysical origin, not technosignatures.
  • Explicitly state they do not conclude it was from an extraterrestrial civilization.

What was special about the Wow signal?

• Extremely strong, narrowband signal near the hydrogen line; far above background.
• Intensity followed a bell-shaped curve consistent with a fixed celestial source drifting through the telescope beam as Earth rotated.
• Only coarse 10-second-averaged data were recorded, so any internal modulation or information content is unknown.
• It never repeated, which makes it a poor candidate for deliberate communication and impossible to statistically distinguish from a rare transient.

Terrestrial interference vs cosmic source

• Some speculate mundane causes (local electronics, walkie-talkies, “janitor’s vacuum,” etc.), noting how often lab gear and even microwave ovens have mimicked astrophysical signals in other cases.
• Others counter that the frequency, narrowness, and beam pattern make everyday devices an unlikely match; the new papers argue Earth-origin is now less probable.

Media, hype, and SETI expectations

• Many criticize IFLScience for sensational, alien-leaning framing that the actual papers do not support.
• Several emphasize that serious scientists generally expect life elsewhere, but see no convincing evidence of visitation or communication yet.
• Broader side discussions cover the Fermi paradox, the “great filter,” the aggressiveness or cooperativeness of advanced species, and whether large-scale projects (like interstellar beacons) require war, slavery, or high cooperation.