I can recall neither title nor author for my favoure SF short story, anyone out there able to help?
Summary:
Two people stuck on a research station in Antarctica discover a signal from a distant civilisation. The signal is created by modulating the light of a whole star, and repeats with a kind of ‘primer’ that lets them understand the rest of the message, which consists of science that they interpret as sort of a history of that civilisation.
There’s of course a climactic ending which I’ll hide, just in case.
It appears the civilisation is haunted by wars that increase in horror as the technological basis advances, and the star goes nova while the Earthlings are still interpreting the message.
I seem to remember that there’s a threat of nuclear war on Earth that causes extra stress and sense of isolation for the two ‘protagonists’.
Anyone know which story it is, and which author?