Replication of filtered interferometer measurements in interstellar communications

TL;DR

This paper reports on an experiment attempting to replicate previous findings of anomalous interstellar signals using a radio interferometer, leading to results that challenge initial hypotheses and suggest the need for alternative explanations.

Contribution

It presents a replication attempt of earlier interstellar signal measurements with improved interferometer setup, highlighting unexpected results that question prior interpretations.

Findings

Apparent falsification of the white noise hypothesis.

Results suggest the need for alternative hypotheses.

Experiment modifications increased detection sensitivity.

Abstract

Interstellar communication signals have been conjectured to be present, albeit difficult to identify. Experiments conducted since 2018 indicate an anomalous presence of a type of speculated interstellar signal, delta-t delta-f polarized pulse pairs, thought to be possibly sourced from a celestial direction near 5.25 hr Right Ascension and -7.6 deg. Declination. A recent experiment utilizing a radio interferometer identified anomalous pulse pairs associated with these celestial coordinates. The experiment is described in arXiv:2404.08994. Other experiments produced anomalous results, reported in arXiv:2105.03727, arXiv:2106.10168, arXiv:2202.12791 and arXiv:2203.10065. After the recent experiment was concluded, the interferometer antenna elements were modified to have increased aperture and reduction in radio interference-caused false positives. An experiment was conducted to attempt replication of the previously reported interferometer measurements. Observations are reported here. Apparent replicated falsification of an expected random white noise explanatory hypothesis compels the development and testing of alternate and auxiliary hypotheses.