Aliens could use Heathrow Airport as homing beacon to find us & experts reveal how long it might take them to get here
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
HUMANS have been searching for aliens for decades - but all this time, intelligent extraterrestrial life could have found us, according to a new study.
Heathrow Airport has been acting as a sort of homing beacon to find us, experts at have revealed at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2025) in Durham.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
6
This artist's impression shows the rocky planet Proxima Centauri b - Earth's closest potentially habitable planet
6
This artist's impression shows the planet Proxima b orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri
But it's not just Heathrow - the largest and busiest airport in the UK, but Gatwick and New York's JFK International Airport, too.
All civilian airports and military bases that use radar systems have been inadvertently revealing our existence to potential advanced alien civilizations, new research suggests.
If aliens are equipped with state-of-the-art radio telescopes like our own - they would be able to spot hidden electromagnetic leakage from these Earth sites up to 200 light-years away.
The study also suggests that 200 light-years is just how far humans would be able to look to spot aliens who have evolved to use a similar level of technology.
As airport radar systems sweep the skies for airplanes, they send out a combined radio signal of 2x1015 watts, the researchers said.
6
But it's not just Heathrow - the largest and busiest airport in the UK, but Gatwick and New York's JFK International Airport, too
Credit: Getty
6
Airport radar systems sweep the skies for airplanes
Credit: Getty
That's enough power to be picked up as far as 200 light-years away by telescopes as strong as the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, the world's biggest fully steerable radio telescope.
For context, the nearest potentially habitable world beyond our solar system is Proxima Centauri b, which is 4 light-years away.
And while it would take thousands of years to get there with today's technology, there are a number of potentially habitable worlds in that distance.
Lead researcher Ramiro Caisse Saide, of the University of Manchester, said these signals would look "clearly artificial to anyone watching from interstellar distances with powerful radio telescopes."
First ever bombshell vid of infamous 'Mosul orb' UFO is released
The Ph.D student added: "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.
"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."
By simulating how these radar signals emit from Earth over time and space, the researchers looked at how visible they would be from nearby stars.
The research may help guide other scientists on identifying promising technosignatures emitted by alien worlds, Saide explained.
Co-researcher, Professor Michael Garrett, of the University of Manchester, added: "By learning how our signals travel through space, we gain valuable insights into how to protect the radio spectrum for communications and design future radar systems.
"The methods developed for modeling and detecting these weak signals can also be used in astronomy, planetary defence, and even in monitoring the impact of human technology on our space environment."
6
If aliens are equipped with state-of-the-art radio telescopes like our own - they would be able to spot hidden electromagnetic leakage from these Earth sites up to 200 light-years away
Credit: Getty
6
The research may help guide other scientists on identifying promising technosignatures emitted by alien worlds, Saide explained
Credit: Getty
All you need to know about planets in our solar system
Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all... How old is Earth? Plus other facts on our planet
How many moons does Mercury have?
What colour is Venus?
How far away is Mars to Earth? And other facts on the red planet
How big is Jupiter?
How many moons does Saturn have?
Does Uranus have rings?
How many moons does Neptune have?
How big is Pluto?
How hot is the Sun?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Sunday scaries' is real health threat ‘increasing your risk of heart attack', experts warn
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CALL it "Sunday scaries" or "Monday blues", dreading the start of a new week can trigger long-term stress and take a toll on your heart health, scientists warn. The anxiety isn't just workplace related - retirees also displayed signs of heightened stress on Mondays after they'd stopped working. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Feeling stressed on Mondays doesn't stop when you retire, researchers found Credit: Getty Researchers from the University of Hong Kong dubbed this the "Anxious Monday" effect. It suggests dysregulation of the body's stress management system - which is known to drive heart disease - is linked to the start of the week, regardless of work status, researchers said. Previous research has shown a 19 per cent increase in heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths on Mondays, the study authors also pointed out. They believe spikes in Monday heart attacks were unlikely to be random. Lead author Professor Tarani Chandola from the department of sociology, faculty of social sciences at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), said: 'Mondays act as a cultural 'stress amplifier'. 'For some older adults, the week's transition triggers a biological cascade that lingers for months. "This isn't about work - it's about how deeply ingrained Mondays are in our stress physiology, even after careers end." Feelings of stress and anxiety are linked to cardiovascular disease through a key biological mechanism called hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. The HPA axis is the body's main way of responding to stress and results in the release of cortisol - known as the stress hormone - in the body. HPA axis dysregulation is characterised by excessive levels of cortisol production, which has previously been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and death, researchers explained. Feeling stressed Watch our 4-minute at-home yoga workout scientifically proven to reduce anxiety and tension It's also known to contribute to hypertension, insulin resistance, and immune dysfunction. The study team set out to examine whether "HPA-axis dysregulation is greater on Mondays than on other days, and whether this association is greater for working compared to non-working adults", they wrote in the Journal of Affective Disorders. They assessed data from over 3,500 older adults taking part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, including hair samples that showed cortisol levels in participants' bodies. People who reported feeling more anxious on Mondays had 23 per cent higher cortisol levels in their hair samples than those who felt anxious on other days. This was also seen among retirees, challenging assumptions that workplace stress alone explains "Monday blues". When stress is something to worry about For many of us, stress can be a part of our daily life - to the point that we don't pick up on red flags until it's too late. Stress can affect you physically and mentally, as well as causing changes to your behaviour, the NHS notes. You may experience some of the following signs when struggling with stress: Headaches or dizziness Muscle tension or pain Stomach problems Chest pain or a faster heartbeat Sexual problems Difficulty concentrating Struggling to make decisions Feeling overwhelmed Constantly worrying Being forgetful Being irritable and snappy Sleeping too much or too little Eating too much or too little Avoiding certain places or people Drinking or smoking more If stress is taking a toll on your life, that's a sign to seek help for it. Try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@ if you need someone to talk to If you need more support, you can get free talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP. Source: NHS Researchers concluded: 'This study found strong evidence for an association between reporting anxiety on Mondays and HPA-axis dysregulation. 'The anxious Monday association with HPA-axis dysregulation measured subsequently was evident among both working and nonworking older adults, with no reduction in the association among those not at work." The findings suggest social patterns - not just job demands - embed themselves in human physiology, with lasting health risks, researchers said. Previous studies have pointed to higher stress hormone levels among people on weekdays versus weekends, but the latest research is the first to pinpoint Mondays as uniquely disruptive. Researchers hope addressing Monday-specific stressors could pave the way for new strategies to combat heart disease. "Hospitals and clinics need to plan for increased CVD events on Mondays," they also suggested. "Most people should adapt to their feelings of Monday anxiety over their working life course. "However, for some people, there is a lack of adaptation to Monday anxiety, and this does not appear to diminish when they stop working."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Chemicals found in everyday products are being linked to cancer in young people
Chemicals found in everyday products are being linked to cancer in young people They have been around since the 1940s and are found in products like non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics Hospital patient holding hands with a loved one (Image: Getty ) The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has finalised its evaluation of possible links between two forever chemicals and cancer, and it has been suggested that there could be a connection between these findings and the amount of young people now being diagnosed with cancer. "Forever chemicals' is a term used to describe a group of synthetic substances called PFAS, which are chemicals that are used in a wide range of everyday products because they resist water, grease, and stains. They're called 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down easily in the environment or in the human body and as a result, they can remain in soil, water, and our systems for long periods of time. PFAS have been around since the 1940s and are found in products like non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, and some personal care items. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here According to Cancer Research, the two chemicals IARC looked at are no longer produced or used in the UK. IARC has now classified one of them, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), as cancer-causing, or carcinogenic (Group 1), but this decision wasn't based on strong evidence showing an increase in cancer cases in people exposed to PFOA. Instead, IARC noted "sufficient" evidence for PFOA-linked cancers in one species of experimental (lab) animal. They also found "strong" evidence that PFOA can cause changes in the human body that may lead to the development of cancer. Article continues below It's important to note that cancer development is complex and many different factors can influence risk, including genetics, lifestyle, and other environmental exposures. For example, researchers are also studying the role of plastics, air pollution, and food additives in rising cancer rates and it is not usually one single factor, but a combination that matters. In the case of early-onset cancers such as colorectal cancer diagnosed in younger adults it's difficult to identify a clear cause, and are just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Children may be exposed to PFAS in several ways. These include drinking water, food, household dust and direct contact with products containing the chemicals and because PFAS don't leave the body easily, even small exposures over time can add up. How you can reduce your own exposure While a lot is still unknown, health experts recommend taking steps to reduce exposure where possible, and this might include avoiding stain-resistant or non-stick products when alternatives are available. You can also use a water filter which is certified to remove PFAS which can also help - particularly in areas with known contamination. But as Cancer Research states: "It's now illegal to use PFOA or PFOS in the UK, but we're still living with them. "Before regulations were put in place in the 2000s, PFOA and PFOS were used in packaging, carpets, cookware, manufacturing processes, firefighting foams and waterproof clothing. "Even though those products and processes might not exist anymore, the chemicals they contained still may not have broken down. "The fact forever chemicals are so long-lasting also means they can filter out into the environment. "That makes it difficult for individual people to avoid them. "Because of that, effective monitoring is important for us to understand whether and which measures may be needed to reduce any potential risk – from PFOA, PFOS or any similar chemical." Article continues below
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
China creates cyborg BEES controlling their minds and every movement for secret spy missions
It's similar to the so-called "zombie" fungus, cordyceps, which can infect insects and take control of their bodies. UN-BEE-LIEVABLE China creates cyborg BEES controlling their minds and every movement for secret spy missions Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TEAM of scientists claim to have created the world's lightest mind control device - for bees. The tiny brain controller weighs just 74milligrams, which researchers say is lighter than a sack of nectar typically carried by a bee. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The team behind the new technology believe swarms of mind-controlled insects could scout areas and help disaster relief operations Credit: Getty The team from the Beijing Institute of Technology, led by Professor Zhao Jieliang, said the system wires straight into the insects' brains. While the device is strapped to a bee's back, three needles are pierced into the bee's brain. Operators can then send electronic pulses into the bee's brain and command it to fly in whichever direction they want. During tests, published in the Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, the bees obeyed their operator's commands with 90 per cent accuracy. READ MORE ON ROBOTS ROBOCHOP From robots making kebabs to McFlurry glitches - inside how AI is changing food It's similar to the so-called "zombie" fungus, cordyceps, which can infect insects and take control of their bodies. It's this fungus that was famously used as the premise for the zombie virus in the popular 'The Last of Us' franchise. The sci-fi-like system, first reported by the South China Morning Post, printed the circuits onto polymer film - ultra-thin and flexible films that are used inside electronics. The team behind the new technology believe swarms of mind-controlled insects could scout areas and help disaster relief operations. However, they may also usher in a new type of surveillance state where every insect is potentially a spy. 'Insect-based robots inherit the superior mobility, camouflage capabilities, and environmental adaptability of their biological hosts,' Zhao and his colleagues wrote. They added: 'Compared to synthetic alternatives, they demonstrate enhanced stealth and extended operational endurance, making them invaluable for covert reconnaissance in scenarios such as urban combat, counterterrorism and narcotics interdiction, as well as critical disaster relief operations." Previously, the lightest bug cyborg controller developed in Singapore was triple the weight. The device could command beetles and roaches - but the extra weight meant they became tired quickly. With a more lightweight device, Zhao and his team believe they can better serve as military scouts.
