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Astronomers are using a new supernova to search for alien signals

If any alien civilisations have spotted the new supernova SN 2023ixf in the Pinwheel galaxy, they may use it to try to make contact

By Jonathan O’Callaghan

9 June 2023

The supernova SN 2023ixf in the Pinwheel galaxy might be an opportunity for contacting other civilisations

Paul Macklin

Astronomers are looking towards a recent supernova for alien radio signals, in the hope that an advanced civilisation might be trying to communicate with us.

Last month, a supernova dubbed SN 2023ixf was found in the nearby Pinwheel galaxy 21 million light years away, the closest stellar explosion detected from Earth in a decade. Earlier this year, an idea was put forward suggesting that supernovae like this might be good opportunities to search for …

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