Aliens Can Detect Earth's Airports From 200 Light-Years Away
Preliminary results from a study led by Ramiro Caisse Saide, an astrophysics PhD candidate at the University of Manchester, suggest extraterrestrials up to 200 light-years away could theoretically detect electromagnetic signals leaking from global airline hubs such as John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Heathrow Airport in London. Military radar systems are also detectable, and thanks to their unique pattern, these signals would look 'clearly artificial to anyone watching from interstellar distances with powerful radio telescopes,' Caisse Saide said in a statement.
'In fact, these military signals can appear up to a hundred times stronger from certain points in space, depending on where an observer is located,' he added. 'Our findings suggest that radar signals—produced unintentionally by any planet with advanced technology and complex aviation system—could act as a universal sign of intelligent life.' It's important to note, however, that it will take many more years for signals to reach any extraterrestrial civilizations located 200 light-years away from Earth. Airports and military operations have only been emitting signals of this strength since the 1950s, and therefore, the maximum distance at which aliens could currently detect them is about 75 light-years in all directions.
Seeing as we live in an unfathomably vast, ancient universe with billions of trillions of planets and moons, it stands to reason that we aren't the only intelligent lifeforms in it. Humanity's desire to contact extraterrestrials dates back more than 150 years. The first real communication attempt took place in 1974, when astronomers beamed a radio signal from a powerful transmitter at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico into space. This signal, known as the Arecibo message, consisted of binary code that conveyed information about the basic chemicals of life, the structure of DNA, Earth's place in the solar system, and even a stick figure of a human. If any aliens received it, they haven't responded.
That hasn't discouraged scientists from trying to find them. Those working on the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) do this passively, scanning space for electromagnetic signals that can't be explained by natural phenomena. Others have taken a more active approach by intentionally transmitting signals or messages to space, like the Arecibo message. These efforts are called METI (Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligence) or CETI (Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence). Not everyone believes this is a good idea. Detractors point out that telling aliens where we are could have disastrous consequences if these beings are capable of harming us or our planet.
That's a scary thought. Perhaps even more frightening is the fact that Earth is unwittingly shouting out our existence and location to any radar-detecting extraterrestrial civilizations within earshot. To get an idea of just how noisy our planet is, Caisse Saide and his colleagues simulated how radar signals from airports proliferate across time and space, then analyzed how detectable they would be from stars such as Barnard's Star and AU Microscopii. These stars are located roughly 6 and 32 light-years away from the Sun, respectively.
They found that airport radar systems, which sweep the skies for airplanes to inform air traffic control, send out a combined radio signal strong enough for aliens to detect it from up to 200 light-years away using telescopes similar to the Green Bank radio telescope in West Virginia. That's a vast distance. The nearest potentially habitable planet outside our solar system—Proxima Centauri b—is just over 4 light-years away, and it would still take humanity's most advanced spacecraft tens of thousands of years to get there. Signals from Earth's military radar systems are weaker, but more focused and directional, creating an obviously artificial pattern similar to a lighthouse beam sweeping the sky.
It's important to note, however, that it will take many more years for signals to reach any extraterrestrial civilizations located 200 light-years away from Earth. Airports and military operations have only been emitting signals of this strength since the 1950s, and therefore, the maximum distance at which aliens could currently detect them is about 75 light-years in all directions. But the point of the study stands; aliens located on a planet 200 light-years away should be able to detect airport signals—but not for another 125 years.
Understanding how intelligent extraterrestrials might become aware of our existence can also help guide our search for them, according to Caisse Saide. Identifying and characterizing our own planet's technosignatures, or detectable signs of technology, can tell astronomers what to look for from other planets, he said. At the same time, 'we gain valuable insights into how to protect the radio spectrum for communications and design future radar systems,' said co-researcher Michael Garrett, a professor of astrophysics at the University of Manchester, in the statement. 'The methods developed for modeling and detecting these weak signals can also be used in astronomy, planetary defense, and even in monitoring the impact of human technology on our space environment.'
'In this way, our work supports both the scientific quest to answer the question 'Are we alone?' and practical efforts to manage the influence of technology on our world and beyond,' Caisse Saide said.
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CNN
4 hours ago
- CNN
Researchers may have solved mystery of Mercury's missing meteorites, but doubts remain
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These 1,100 meteorites originated as fragments flung from the surfaces of the moon and Mars during asteroid impacts before making their way to Earth after a journey through space. Not every planet is likely to eject fragments of itself Earth-ward during collisions. Though Venus is closer to us than Mars is, its greater gravitational pull and thick atmosphere may prevent the launch of impact debris. But some astronomers believe that Mercury should be capable of generating meteors. 'Based on the amount of lunar and Martian meteorites, we should have around 10 Mercury meteorites, according to dynamical modeling,' said Ben Rider-Stokes, a postdoctoral researcher in achondrite meteorites at the UK's Open University and lead author of a study on the Sahara meteorites, published in June in the journal Icarus. 'However, Mercury is a lot closer to the sun, so anything that's ejected off Mercury also has to escape the sun's gravity to get to us. It is dynamically possible, just a lot harder. No one has confidently identified a meteorite from Mercury as of yet,' he said, adding that no mission thus far has been capable of bringing back physical samples from the planet either. If the two meteorites found in 2023 — named Northwest Africa 15915 (NWA 15915) and Ksar Ghilane 022 (KG 022) — were confirmed to be from Mercury, they would greatly advance scientists' understanding of the planet, according to Rider-Stokes. But he and his coauthors are the first to warn of some inconsistencies in matching those space rocks to what scientists know about Mercury. The biggest is that the fragments appear to have formed about 500 million years earlier than the surface of Mercury itself. However, according to Rider-Stokes, this finding could be based on inaccurate estimates, making a conclusive assessment unlikely. 'Until we return material from Mercury or visit the surface,' he said, 'it will be very difficult to confidently prove, and disprove, a Mercurian origin for these samples.' But there are some compositional clues that suggest the meteorites might have a link to the planet closest to the sun. It's not the first time that known meteorites have been associated with Mercury. The previous best candidate, based on the level of interest it piqued in astronomers, was a fragment called Northwest Africa (NWA) 7325, which was reportedly found in southern Morocco in early 2012. Rider-Stokes said that was the first meteorite to be potentially associated with Mercury: 'It got a lot of attention. A lot of people got very excited about it.' Further analysis, however, showed a richness in chrome at odds with Mercury's predicted surface composition. More recently, astronomers have suggested that a class of meteorites called aubrites — from a small meteorite that landed in 1836 in Aubres, France — might come from Mercury's mantle, the layer below the surface. However, these meteorites lack a chemical compatibility with what astronomers know about the planet's surface, Rider-Stokes said. 'That's what's so exciting about the samples that we studied — they have sort of the perfect chemistry to be representative of Mercury,' he said. Most of what is known about Mercury's surface and composition comes from NASA's MESSENGER probe, which assessed the makeup of the planet's crust from orbit. Both meteorites from the study, which Rider-Stokes analyzed with several instruments including an electron microscope, contain olivine and pyroxene, two iron-poor minerals confirmed by MESSENGER to be present on Mercury. The new analysis also revealed a complete lack of iron in the space rock samples, which is consistent with scientists' assumptions about the planet's surface. However, the meteorites contained only trace amounts of plagioclase, a mineral believed to dominate Mercury's surface. 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Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Associated Press
Natcast Celebrates Grand Opening of NSTC EUV Accelerator at NY CREATES' Albany NanoTech Complex, One of Three NSTC Flagship Semiconductor R&D Facilities Across the Country
Dept. of Commerce, Sen. Schumer, Rep. Tonko, Natcast, NY CREATES, NSTC Members, and leaders from across industry and academia came together to celebrate this momentous milestone for U.S.-led semiconductor innovation, economic and national security ALBANY, N.Y., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Natcast, the purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS and Science Act, today celebrated the grand opening of the CHIPS for America Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Accelerator, an NSTC facility (EUV Accelerator), with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Complex in Albany, N.Y., where the facility is located. The EUV Accelerator, which officially began operations on July 1, 2025, is one of three announced NSTC flagship R&D facilities across the U.S. 'The grand opening of the EUV Accelerator marks a momentous milestone for Natcast, the NSTC, and the entire U.S. semiconductor ecosystem, as this state-of-the-art facility underscores our commitment to developing and advancing next-generation semiconductor technologies here in the U.S.,' said Deirdre Hanford, Natcast CEO. 'EUV lithography has emerged as the cornerstone technology to enable the high-volume production of smaller, faster, and more efficient chips. Through the EUV Accelerator, we are providing Natcast and NSTC Member researchers access to the critical tools needed to facilitate a wider range of research and a path to commercialization to advance U.S. leadership in the technologies of tomorrow.' The celebratory event brought together leaders from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Natcast, NY CREATES, and NSTC Member organizations, as well as U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. Representative Paul Tonko, and Empire State Development COO Kevin Younis who all spoke to the significance of this milestone for U.S.-led semiconductor innovation and the impact this facility will have on advancing U.S. technology leadership, economic competitiveness, and national security for decades to come. 'This facility is really emblematic of what the NSTC program can do for the country,' said Jay Lewis, Director of the NSTC Program, CHIPS R&D Office, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce. 'One of our national strengths is our decentralized innovation. Our technical breakthroughs come from universities and businesses of all sizes, all over the country. But there can't be a facility like this at every university or in every state. 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It is the start of a historic new effort by the federal government to ensure the next generation of microchips will be developed here in America, here in the Capital Region, not China, not overseas. Today we help usher in America's next era of chip research and manufacturing, with Upstate NY leading the way.' The opening of the NSTC EUV Accelerator showcases what public and private partnership can accomplish to bolster the state's workforce, while setting the stage for semiconductor research and manufacturing nationwide,' Governor Hochul said. 'Since taking office, I have remained committed to ensuring New York continues to lead in business, manufacturing, technology and research innovation, and this launch is only the beginning.' 'For years since the passage of the historic and transformational CHIPS and Science Act, we've been telling anyone who will listen that New York is an industry leader uniquely positioned to propel long-term American semiconductor innovation,' Congressman Tonko said. 'Today, we celebrate that successful push and the incredible new opportunities it unlocks in innovation, job creation, research, and so much more. I'm also thrilled that my Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act will complement future EUV R&D. As we celebrate this grand opening and cheer all those who helped us get to this exciting moment, let's make certain that we, as partners in government, academia, and industry, continue to invest in the pioneering spirit of innovation that the Capital Region has long exemplified.' 'NY CREATES and our industry partners are proud to continue our two-decade-long history of advancing semiconductor technologies, and as Natcast cuts the ribbon to share with the world that the EUV Accelerator is operational and their offices at our Albany NanoTech Complex are open, this latest partnership undoubtedly represents a pivotal step forward in accelerating U.S. innovation over the long-term,' said Dave Anderson, President of NY CREATES. 'With accessible, standard numerical aperture EUV lithography capabilities available today, and access to High NA EUV equipment available next year, we are proud that NY CREATES is supporting the NSTC's mission and enabling groundbreaking research, impactful economic growth, and strategic workforce development, all of which are imperative for America's national security and economic leadership.' The EUV Accelerator enables researchers from Natcast, NSTC Member organizations, and NY CREATES to work collaboratively to conduct research and development activities essential to driving faster commercialization of advanced semiconductor technology. Key capabilities at the EUV Accelerator include: Along with the CHIPS for America Design and Collaboration Facility (DCF) and the CHIPS for America NSTC Prototyping and NAPMP Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility (PPF), the EUV Accelerator will be a world-class destination for advanced semiconductor R&D in the United States. Together, these three NSTC flagship R&D facilities are addressing critical gaps in the current ecosystem, offering unparalleled value to a wide array of stakeholders across the semiconductor value chain, including universities, small businesses, large manufacturers, and government agencies, and helping to build a strong and vibrant U.S. semiconductor ecosystem. Following the morning program, nearly 100 leaders from government, industry, and academia gathered for a seminar on High-NA EUV and the future of semiconductor innovation. The discussion focused on the most pressing challenges and breakthrough innovations that will shape the next generation of chipmaking and how best to leverage the unique capabilities of the EUV Accelerator to help advance this work. View statements of support for the facility from across the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem at The EUV Accelerator is open and ready to support the R&D needs of NSTC Members and collaborators. Natcast is currently accepting project proposals. Learn more about the EUV Accelerator and submit a project proposal at For questions, please reach out to [email protected]. NATCAST & THE NSTC Natcast is a purpose-built, non-profit entity designated to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) by the Department of Commerce. Established by the CHIPS and Science Act of the U.S. government, the NSTC is a public-private consortium dedicated to semiconductor R&D in the United States. The NSTC convenes industry, academia, and government from across the semiconductor ecosystem to address the most challenging barriers to continued technological progress in the domestic semiconductor industry, including the need for a skilled workforce. The NSTC reflects a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the U.S. to drive the pace of innovation, set standards, and secure global leadership in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Natcast
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Asteroid the size of 145 Elmos to fly past Earth on Tuesday, July 15
Asteroid 2025 MA90 is set to fly past the Earth on Tuesday, July 15. With an estimated diameter of 88.8 meters, that comes out to around 145 Elmos, thanks to measurements taken by Drew Brees. An asteroid the size of around 145 Elmos is set to pass the Earth on Tuesday, July 15, according to NASA's asteroid tracker. According to the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the asteroid in question has been designated as 2025 MA90, meaning it was discovered and officially recorded this year. But thankfully this large asteroid won't be coming too close to the Earth, which is fortunate, as scientists working in the field of planetary defense have recently determined that asteroid deflection has more complications than they previously thought. NASA CNEOS's estimates place asteroid 2025 MA90's diameter as being anywhere between 66 meters to 150 meters. Using the Eyes on Asteroids tool, we get a more conservative estimate of 88.8 meters. To put that in a more familiar metric, let's use a classic pop culture icon that has helped define the early childhoods of hundreds of millions of people around the world: Elmo. Yes, the familiar red monster, the most famous Muppet of Sesame Street. We're measuring an asteroid with him. So how big is Elmo, exactly? There is no shortage of merchandise of the character, all of varying sizes, but how tall is the character in the Sesame Street canon? No official size has been given by the creators of Sesame Street. However, diving deep into the history of the character, we at The Jerusalem Post were able to find a special 2011 guest appearance by Drew Brees, quarterback for the NFL team the New Orleans Saints. In this "Word of the Day" segment, where the characters and viewers learn about a new word, Brees demonstrates the word "measure" and proceeds to measure Elmo's height, which clocks in at 24 inches, or 60.96 centimeters. With that in mind, asteroid 2025 MA90 is around the size of 145 Elmos, going by his Drew Brees-measured height. As Brees notes in the Sesame Street video, you can use anything to measure, which he promptly proved by measuring Elmo in terms of potatoes and tubes of toothpaste. According to Brees, Elmo is four potatoes tall, and three tubes of toothpaste tall. With that in mind, asteroid 2025 MA90's diameter would be the size of 435 tubes of toothpaste, or 580 potatoes - at least the ones used on Sesame Street in 2011. Of course, were we to use Brees himself, the result would be different, as he stands at six feet tall, or 1.8288 meters, meaning the asteroid's diameter would be around 48.5 Drew Brees. At 88.8 meters, asteroid 2025 MA90 has the potential to do some pretty substantial damage. The last asteroid impact to cause major damage to the Earth was in 2013, when an asteroid impacted over Chelyabinsk, Russia. The resulting airburst - when an asteroid explodes after impacting the atmosphere - resulted in a large and powerful shockwave that was felt regionally. Over 7,000 buildings in multiple cities were damaged, and over 1,000 people were injured, mostly by broken glass. In the grand scheme of asteroid impacts, this was fairly benign, but as an isolated incident, it could be seen as having caused considerable damage. And that asteroid was only around 20 meters in diameter. At 88.8 meters, asteroid 2025 MA90 would be far more destructive. But what if NASA's largest estimate, 150 meters, was correct? At that size, it would pass the threshold to be considered a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA). According to research from the Davidson Institute of Science, the educational arm of Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science, an asteroid 140 meters in diameter or more would release an amount of energy at least a thousand times greater than that released by the first atomic bomb if it impacted Earth. But luckily, asteroid 2025 MA90 isn't going to come too close to the Earth, instead passing by over six million kilometers away. And this is especially fortunate, considering humanity is not yet ready to combat an asteroid impact. An asteroid impact is among the most destructive natural disasters that could occur. As such, scientists have been hard at work in the field of planetary defense to try and protect the planet from these giant space rocks. Because yes, it isn't only Elmo that hates certain rocks - if you know, you know. The most promising effort in this field was the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which slammed into a far away asteroid to see if it could impact its orbit. While at first this mission seemed to have been a success, a recent study published in the peer-reviewed academic periodical the Planetary Science Journal found that the actual result was more complicated. Rather than just deflecting the asteroid, the DART impact ejected several boulders out of the main body. These ejections added more force to the impact, almost as much as the DART impact itself. This means that the actual success of asteroid deflection is harder to predict, so humanity still has a way to go before making themselves safe from asteroids.
