Understanding the Noise of the Universe. Are there Hidden Messages in the Static?

This week on Science vs. Conspiracy: we will try to understand the noise of the universe and if there is a hidden message in the static, over coffee.

There was 1 signal in particular that got the attention of astronomers on August 15, 1977. What is now referred to as the WOW signal, a strong narrowband radio signal was detected by Ohio State University’s Big Ear Radio Telescope. The signal was observed for a full 72 seconds. 72 seconds is the amount of time the radio telescope is pointed in any direction because of the Earth’s rotation. The signal was captured at the frequency shared by hydrogen of 1420.3556 MHz. Which makes this frequency ideal for transmitting information because hydrogen atoms are common throughout the galaxy.

But it was unlike any other signal detected prior to or since. The signal apparently originated from the constellation of Sagittarius. The closest known star is Tau Sagittarii. Roughly 122 Light years away. The signature of the narrowband signal starts off low then gradually reaches its peak 36 seconds in before slowly back down for the remainder of the 72 seconds. The signal was detected this way because of the design of the telescope and how it observers the sky with the Earth's rotation.