An astronomer in Florida believes he may have deciphered the source of the legendary and mysterious 'Wow!' radio signal that has stumped researchers for nearly four decades.
The anomalous event, which was picked up by SETI in 1977, lasted a mere 72 seconds but was so unique that it prompted the observing astronomer to scribble 'Wow!' next to the data when he noticed it.
While some had hoped that it was perhaps a message from extraterrestrials, the inability to pick up the signal again left the incident relegated to simply being a space mystery.
Over the ensuing decades, researchers have proposed a number of theories for its origin and ruled out possible sources such as asteroids or satellites.
Despite their best efforts, however, the Wow! signal has remained unsolved.
But a new study by astronomer Antonio Paris may finally lead to an answer as to what spawned the infamous event.
Paris points to a pair of comets that were in the vicinity of the Wow! signal in 1977.
According to Paris, hydrogen clouds surrounding the comets would have given off a powerful burst that seemingly matches that of the Wow! 'message.'
Since the comets were not discovered until 2006, they had never been considered as suspects for the signal until now.
Fortunately, Paris' theory can be put to the test in the not too distant future, because one of the comets will return to the area in January, 2017, followed by the second comet one year later.
If astronomers pick up a new 'Wow!' signal, then the case may finally be closed for the maddening mystery.
And, sadly, it will go down as another near miss in the quest to spot ET signals.
Source: Daily Mail