On August 15, 1977, the “Big Ear” Radio telescope at Ohio State University received an unusually powerful radio frequency signal from outer space. The signal lasted for 72 seconds and contained what appeared to be intelligent code. It was stronger than anything in the background sky that night. It was a narrow-bandwidth signal like those generated by AM radio. To this day there has not been another signal from space like it detected. Many theories and explanations have been speculated on it but none ever proved.
Wow Signal, directed by Bob Dawson, explores the world of Radio Astronomy and the search for sentient life in the universe along with the origins of the Wow Signal. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETA) is a well-known occupation of radio astronomy, however, it is only one aspect of the science. Radio Astronomers have mapped the known universe, discovered Quasars and twenty-thousand sources emitting radio frequencies in the universe around the earth.
Wow Signal traces the evolution of Radio Astronomy and looks at its contributions to the body of knowledge concerning the known universe. The story begins with pioneer radio astronomers like John D. Krause, who built homemade radio telescopes and fought to raise support and funds for the science. Krause and others were responsible for building “Big Ear” (designed by Krause), the first major parabolic flat reflector. The documentary moves from these humble beginnings to modern giant parabolic radio telescopes like the one at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bark, West Virginia. The documentary also looks at the contributions of Grote Reber who was a pioneer in developing parabolic radio telescopes. Reber’s 1937 radio antenna was the second ever to be used for astronomical purposes and the first parabolic reflecting antenna to be used as a radio telescope.
One interesting idea explored in the Wow Signal documentary is the Drake equation. The Drake equation is a summary of the factors affecting the likelihood that we might detect radio-communication from intelligent extraterrestrial life. According to Wikipedia:
The Drake equation is:
“where: N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible (i.e. which are on our current past light cone);
and
R∗ = the average rate of star formation in our galaxy
fp = the fraction of those stars that have planets
ne = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets
fl = the fraction of planets that could support life that actually develop life at some point
fi = the fraction of planets with life that actually go on to develop intelligent life (civilizations)
fc = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space
L = the length of time for which such civilizations release detectable signals into space.”
“WOW SIGNAL was originally released at the Ohio History Center in Columbus, OH. Successfully orbiting around the festival circuit, the documentary was an Official selection in the Roswell Film Festival and Chagrin Documentary Film Festival, as well as selected Finalists in the Raw Science Film Festival and the Los Angeles Theatrical Release Competition & Awards (LATCA), where the documentary received Best U.S. Documentary Feature.” https://rssfeeds.cloudsite.builders/2020/01/06/embark-on-the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life-in-doc-wow-signal-this-month-vod-release/
Wow Signal is an award winning, well-made, historically important documentary. It is both informative and entertaining shedding light on a science that is often misunderstood and seen as having a low priority for funding. It uses both contemporary interviews and footage with archival photographs and film. Wow Signal makes a strong case for radio astronomy and the continued search for extraterrestrial life in the universe. The notion that “we are not alone,” and its ramifications are a strong motivation for continued research. The film is educational and highly recommended for anyone interested in Astronomy and/or the universe around us here on earth.
TriCoast Entertainment will release WOW SIGNAL onto digital platforms 1/21/2020 (FlixFling, Vimeo on Demand, Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, and more).
Wow Signal Review by James R (Jim) Martin, author, director/producer
