Two astronomers from the Université Laval in Quebec say they discovered unusual spectral emanation while studying a set of stars in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

In a recently published paper, the authors suggested this “spectral modulation” could be the work of aliens manipulating starlight to contact other civilizations.

The signals cannot be caused by instrumental or data analysis effects because they are present in only a very small fraction of stars within a narrow spectral range. They cannot be generated by molecules or rapid pulsations…. We consider the possibility, predicted in a previous published paper, that the signals are caused by light pulses generated by Extraterrestrial Intelligence to makes us aware of their existence.

The astronomers say their initial findings support the hypothesis of Extraterrestrial Intelligence, but “the hypothesis needs to be confirmed with further work.”

The question of whether humans are alone in the universe is the great riddle of mankind. Scientists have been baffled by the silence emanating from outer space even as they develop tools allowing humans to look deeper into space than ever before.

If earthlings were to discover intelligent life beyond our solar system, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey would be a plausible place for such a discovery. Named after automotive titan Alfred P. Sloan, the survey has created more detailed three-dimensional maps of the Universe than any other survey. 

Are the scientists on to something here? Or is starlight manipulation an idea more fitting for a Jules Verne novel? 

Jon Miltimore is senior editor of Intellectual Takeout. Follow him on Facebook