FAST telescope detects potential artificial radio signal from K2-155

Astronomers using China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) have detected a signal that exhibits characteristics potentially consistent with an artificial source. During a survey of 33 exoplanet systems, researchers identified a narrow-band signal originating from the direction of K2-155, a red dwarf star located approximately 238 light-years from Earth.

The signal, recorded at a frequency of 1140.604MHz, displayed features that distinguish it from typical natural cosmic radio sources. Specifically, the signal was narrow-band and showed frequency shifts due to the Doppler effect, suggesting the source is in motion relative to Earth.

To rule out terrestrial interference, scientists employed a multibeam coincidence matching method. While signals appearing in multiple beams are typically identified as local radio noise, this specific signal was detected in only one beam, passing that initial verification. Although researchers have expressed caution and continue to analyze the data to rule out all possibilities, the signal's characteristics have prompted significant scientific interest.