November 3, 2015: Mega Structure, Cerius & More - Linda Moulton Howe
Nov 3, 2015
2h 24m
0:00 / 0:00
Art Bell welcomes investigative journalist Linda Moulton Howe to discuss the mysterious star KIC 8462852, nicknamed Tabby's Star, whose erratic and asymmetrical dimming patterns have baffled astronomers worldwide. Howe reports on Professor Jason Wright's protocol for evaluating whether the dimming could indicate alien megastructures, and reveals that SETI has redirected the Allen Telescope Array to observe the star with expanded broadband scanning.
The conversation covers the Dyson sphere hypothesis and what it would mean if the objects blocking up to 22 percent of the star's light are confirmed to be opaque structures rather than dust or comets. Howe shares insights from her interviews with Wright and SETI senior scientist Gerald Harp, who stated that the observations point to either a planetary collision or alien intelligence. Art raises the profound question of how contact with an advanced civilization would challenge religious belief systems.
The program also examines a growing cold water anomaly in the North Atlantic, the embargoed NASA images of bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres by the journal Nature, and NASA's confirmation that the experimental electromagnetic drive produces thrust. Howe and Art discuss concerns about scientific information being withheld from the American public through journal publication embargoes.
The conversation covers the Dyson sphere hypothesis and what it would mean if the objects blocking up to 22 percent of the star's light are confirmed to be opaque structures rather than dust or comets. Howe shares insights from her interviews with Wright and SETI senior scientist Gerald Harp, who stated that the observations point to either a planetary collision or alien intelligence. Art raises the profound question of how contact with an advanced civilization would challenge religious belief systems.
The program also examines a growing cold water anomaly in the North Atlantic, the embargoed NASA images of bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres by the journal Nature, and NASA's confirmation that the experimental electromagnetic drive produces thrust. Howe and Art discuss concerns about scientific information being withheld from the American public through journal publication embargoes.
Key Moments
Dyson sphere possibility: Art frames Tabby's Star around the possibility of an energy-gathering Dyson sphere.
SETI redirects the Allen Telescope Array: Howe reports that SETI moved the Allen Telescope Array from its regular schedule to focus on KIC 8462852.
Gerald Harp's two explanations: Howe quotes SETI scientist Gerald Harp saying the data points to either a planetary collision or alien intelligence.