# WOW signal finally explained **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219 "2017-06-05T22:04:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/1 "2017-06-05T22:04:48Z")
Coast to Coast AM linked to this story, which is how I found out about it. Summary: a comet, which was undiscovered at the time, was the source of the WOW signal. > [@](#): > > In 2016, the Center for Planetary Science proposed a hypothesis arguing a comet and/or its hydrogen cloud were a strong candidate for the source of the “Wow!” Signal. From 27 November 2016 to 24 February 2017, the Center for Planetary Science conducted 200 observations in the radio spectrum to validate the hypothesis. The investigation discovered that comet 266/P Christensen emitted a radio signal at 1420.25 MHz. All radio emissions detected were within 1° (60 arcminutes) of the known celestial coordinates of the comet as it transited the neighborhood of the “Wow!” Signal. . . . Furthermore, to determine if comets other than comet 266/P Christensen emit a radio signal at 1420 MHz, we observed three comets that were selected randomly from the JPL Small Bodies database: P/2013 EW90 (Tenagra), P/2016 J1-A (PANSTARRS), and 237P/LINEAR. During observations of these comets, we detected a radio signal at 1420 MHz. The results of this investigation, therefore, conclude that cometary spectra are detectable at 1420 MHz and, more importantly, that the 1977 “Wow!” Signal was a natural phenomenon from a Solar System body. [http://planetary-science.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Paris\_WAS\_103\_02.pdf](http://planetary-science.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Paris_WAS_103_02.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/2 "2017-06-05T22:07:00Z")
That is fascinating. Thank you for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/3 "2017-06-05T22:16:06Z")
Ah well. Gotta keep looking then. By the way, the Wikipedia article needs updating. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/4 "2017-06-05T22:33:29Z")
Wait, Coast to Coast AM gave a plausible answer to anything? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/5 "2017-06-05T22:37:54Z")
Oh,of course, it was so obvious :smack: **C** omet **O** bservation **V** alidates: **F** requency **E** mission **F** amiliar **E** ntity ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/6 "2017-06-05T22:51:55Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Coast to Coast AM linked to this story, which is how I found out about it. > > Summary: a comet, which was undiscovered at the time, was the source of the WOW signal. > > [http://planetary-science.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Paris\_WAS\_103\_02.pdf](http://planetary-science.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Paris_WAS_103_02.pdf) Very interesting! Before I start sharing this, does anyone know about the credentials and credibility of the authors, reviewers, publisher, etc.? ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/7 "2017-06-05T22:56:23Z")
OK, now they just have to explain the [Oh-My-God particle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh-My-God_particle) and the [Bloop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloop) and they will have solved all the mysteries of the universe. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/8 "2017-06-05T23:25:52Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > OK, now they just have to explain the [Oh-My-God particle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh-My-God_particle) and the [Bloop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloop) and they will have solved all the mysteries of the universe. No, they still have that “chicken or the egg” thing. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/9 "2017-06-06T06:07:26Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Very interesting! Before I start sharing this, does anyone know about the credentials and credibility of the authors, reviewers, publisher, etc.? [Prof. Antonio Paris: > [@](#): > > Antonio Paris is an Adjunct Professor at St. Petersburg College, FL. Additionally, he is an Astronaut Candidate for Project PoSSUM’s Suborbital Mission supported by NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program; the Director of Planetarium and Space Programs at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, FL; and the Chief Scientist at the Center for Planetary Science – a science outreach program promoting astronomy, planetary science, and astrophysics to the next generation of space explorers. Prof. Paris, moreover, is a 2015 graduate of NASA’s Mars Education Program at the Mars Space Flight Center, Arizona State University. He is currently the Primary Investigator at Site B 10-meter Radio Telescope in Central Florida researching gamma ray pulars and black holes. ]([Prof. Antonio Paris | Faculty Profile | SPC](https://web.spcollege.edu/instructors/id/paris.antonio/BIO/)) [The Center for Planetary Science: > [@](#): > > The Center for Planetary Science is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to conducting scientific research; and promoting astronomy, planetary science, and astrophysics to the next generation of space explorers. > [@](#): > > For peer review science proposals, research papers, and opportunities with the Center for Planetary Science, please contact director@\ ]([http://planetary-science.org](http://planetary-science.org)) I’d say that the author and the organization seem to pass muster. Anyone got links to any peer reviews of his paper? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/10 "2017-06-06T06:24:15Z")
I missed the edit window but I did find that there is [a whole page about the Wow! Signal](http://planetary-science.org/tag/wow/) with posts dating back to October 2016. Also, upon further research it seems that the Center for Planetary Science belongs to and was formed by Prof. Paris. [Cite](https://www.whois.com/whois/planetary-science.org). ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/11 "2017-06-06T13:29:01Z")
So, this means that all the nearby small comets have alien transmitters on them? Wow! indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/12 "2017-06-06T13:54:05Z")
Comets emit radio signals? That’s new to me. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/13 "2017-06-06T14:25:49Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > OK, now they just have to explain the [Oh-My-God particle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh-My-God_particle) and the [Bloop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloop) and they will have solved all the mysteries of the universe. Well then, there is only a third of the mysteries to solve. 🙂 [https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/acoustics/sounds/bloop.html](https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/acoustics/sounds/bloop.html) > [@](#): > > (Bloop) > > The broad spectrum sounds recorded in the summer of 1997 are consistent with icequakes generated by large icebergs as they crack and fracture. NOAA hydrophones deployed in the Scotia Sea detected numerous icequakes with spectrograms very similar to “Bloop”. The icequakes were used to acoustically track iceberg A53a as it disintegrated near South Georgia Island in early 2008. Icequakes are of sufficient amplitude to be detected on multiple sensors at a range of over 5000 km. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/14 "2017-06-06T14:35:22Z")
[Universe Today](https://www.universetoday.com/128445/wow-signal-wait-comets/) article from 5 May, 2016: > [@](#): > > A quick check on 266P and 335P at the time of the signal show them both around 5 a.u. from the sun (Jupiter’s distance) and extremely faint at magnitudes 22 and 27 respectively. Were they even active enough at those distances to form clouds big enough for the antenna to detect? > > Paris knows there’s only one way to find out. Comet 266P/Christensen will swing through the same area again on Jan. 25, 2017, while 335P/Gibbs follows suit on January 7, 2018. Unable to use an existing radio telescope (they’re all booked up!), he’s begun a gofundme campaign to purchase and install a 3-meter radio telescope to track and analyze the spectra of these two comets. The goal is $20,000 and Paris is already well on his way there. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/15 "2017-06-06T18:35:48Z")
Never heard about this “Wow!” thing. Very interesting. > [@Morgenstern](#): > > No, they still have that “chicken or the egg” thing. That’s just the tip of the “Chicken Based Mysteries” iceberg. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/16 "2017-06-06T18:43:43Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Wait, Coast to Coast AM gave a plausible answer to anything? Why would you be surprised? C2C has plenty of shows about science. They’ve had Michio Kaku on several times, as well as Brian Cox. They’ve also had lesser-known scientists, engineers, and inventors on from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/17 "2017-06-06T21:52:00Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Why would you be surprised? C2C has plenty of shows about science. They’ve had Michio Kaku on several times, as well as Brian Cox. They’ve also had lesser-known scientists, engineers, and inventors on from time to time. Huh. The few times I’ve listened there was only batshit insanity. So I stopped listening. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/18 "2017-06-06T22:33:03Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > Why would you be surprised? C2C has plenty of shows about science. They’ve had Michio Kaku on several times, as well as Brian Cox. They’ve also had lesser-known scientists, engineers, and inventors on from time to time. And here are some other stories you’ll find right now at the Coast to Coast website - Dancing Orbs Captured On Security Footage - Nuclear Apocalypse/Spirits & Negative Energy - ‘Fouke Monster’ FOIA Request Flummoxes Mayor - Scapegoating Russia/Deathbed Visions Bonus links to interviews with psychics and afterlife researchers on past life regression, angelic visions, and “gateway or portal experiences.” Seems legit. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2017, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-signal-finally-explained/788219/19 "2017-06-09T13:13:05Z")
The Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences saw fit to publish the paper. It could be wrong, but it’s not Planet X sort of guff.