PHL @ UPR Arecibo - Arecibo Wow!

Arecibo Wow!, a search for transient radio signals similar to the Wow! Signal

Objectives

Investigate Archived Data for Wow-like Signals: Systematically search historical radio astronomy archives, including those from Arecibo and other observatories, for unexplained narrowband radio signals similar in nature to the original Wow! Signal.
Analyze the Original 1977 Wow! Signal: Re-examine the Wow! Signal using modern tools and techniques to evaluate its characteristics, origin hypotheses, and astrophysical context, seeking any clues that might explain its nature.
Preserve and Archive the Big Ear Telescope Data: Digitize, catalog, and safeguard all remaining data and documentation from the Big Ear radio telescope to support future analysis and historical research.
Conduct Observations to Search for Wow-like Signals: Utilize modern radio telescopes to monitor regions of interest and search for repeat or similar transient radio signals.
Engage and Educate the Public on Radio Astronomy Science: Develop educational programs, citizen science initiatives, and public outreach campaigns to promote awareness of the Wow! Signal, radio astronomy, and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

First Results: An Astrophysical Explanation for the Wow! Signal

We hypothesize that the Wow! Signal was caused by a sudden brightening of the hydrogen line in interstellar clouds, triggered by a powerful transient radiation source such as a magnetar flare or soft gamma repeater (SGR). Maser flaring or superradiance mechanisms could have produced a narrowband emission consistent with the characteristics of the Wow! Signal. This hypothesis accounts for all observed properties of the signal and suggests it may represent the first recorded maser-like flare in the hydrogen line (Méndez et al., 2024).