Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Scientists Analyze 12 Billion Signals in Search for Alien Intelligence
Scientists and volunteers have been working on a project called SETI@Home for over 20 years.
They used a big radio telescope in Puerto Rico to look for special signals from space that might come from aliens.
Millions of people helped by using their computers to analyze the data.
They found over 12 billion signals, but most were probably just noise.
Now, they are checking the 100 most interesting signals using a different telescope in China.
Even if they don't find aliens, this project helps scientists learn how to look for them better in the future.
SETI@Home project analyzed 12 billion signals from space over 21 years using data from the Arecibo Observatory.
Millions of volunteers worldwide participated by downloading software to analyze data chunks.
The project focused on radio signals near the 21-centimetre wavelength, commonly used to study hydrogen gas in the Milky Way.
Out of 12 billion signals, 100 promising candidates are currently being re-examined using China's FAST radio telescope.
Scientists aim to distinguish signals from potential alien civilizations from those caused by noise or radio interference.
- Who
- Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley and millions of volunteers worldwide
- What
- Analyzed 12 billion signals of interest for signs of alien intelligence
- When
- The project ran from 1999 to 2020, with current analysis ongoing
- Where
- Data from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, with current analysis using China's FAST radio telescope
- Why
- To search for techno signatures and potential signs of intelligent life beyond Earth
- Project Name
- SETI@Home
- Launch Year
- 1999
- Data Source
- Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico
- Total Signals Analyzed
- 12 billion
- Promising Candidates
- 100
- Current Analysis Tool
- China's FAST radio telescope
- Project Duration
- 21 years
- Key Frequency
- 21-centimetre wavelength