Advanced aliens could hear humans on Earth despite being light years away, scientists have suggested – if extraterrestrial life exists, that is.

Did you know that humans have been unintentionally transmitting signals into space for nearly a century?

Experts think if there are intelligent aliens on nearby stars with advanced technology, they could detect life on Earth through leaked radio signals and other transmissions from our day-to-day life.

From radio and television to radars, these high-frequency signals can reach space.

Most recently, mobile phones have also contributed to the leakage.

How was the study conducted?

For the study, scientists from the University of Manchester used crowd-sourced data to simulate radio leakage from mobile towers.

Researchers wanted to determine what alien civilisations might detect from various stars that were close to Earth – including the Barnard’s star, which is six light years away from Earth.

To conduct this study, models were generated by Ramiro Saide, an intern at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institution’s Hat Creek Radio Observatory in the US.

The results also showed the Earth’s mobile radio signature includes a substantial contribution from developing countries such as Africa.

The team said this is exciting because it highlights the countries’ success in moving directly into the digital age.

‘We could become readily detectable’

Professor Mike Garrett, team leader of the project at the University of Manchester, said: “I’ve heard many colleagues suggest that the Earth has become increasingly radio quiet in recent years – a claim that I always contested.

“Although it’s true we have fewer powerful TV and radio transmitters today, the proliferation of mobile communication systems around the world is profound.”

Professor Garrett said while each system represents low radio powers, the “spectrum of billions of these devices is substantial.”

He added: “Current estimates suggest we will have more than 100,000 satellites in low Earth orbit and beyond before the end of the decade.

“The Earth is already anomalously bright in the radio part of the spectrum; if the trend continues, we could become readily detectable by any advanced civilisation with the right technology.”

Read more from Sky News:
Powerful AI systems ‘can’t be controlled’ – expert

‘I believe that there’s every chance advanced civilisations are out there’

So, could this mean we’re one step closer to finding extraterrestrial Intelligence?

Dr Nalini Heeralall-Issur, associate professor at the University of Mauritius, said: “I believe that there’s every chance advanced civilisations are out there and some may be capable of observing the human-made radio leakage coming from planet Earth.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

What’s next?

Researchers will investigate other sources of Earth’s radio leakage signature as they look to build on the findings.

This includes military radars, new digital broadcast systems, wi-fi networks, individual mobile handsets and satellite constellations.

Related posts:

Newly found ‘super-Earth’ could hold key to finding alien life Why the UK is still some way short of herd immunity despite impressive vaccine rollout Donald Trump to sue Facebook, Google, and Twitter chiefs Tesla full self-driving software ‘may do the wrong thing at the worst time’ NASA rover images confirm Mars crater was ancient lake Ukraine thanks Elon Musk after arrival of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite equipment Scientists discover what might be the farthest possible star ever seen Cosmic view: Ancient galaxies revealed in new telescope pictures released by NASA Two pictures of Jupiter leaked by James Webb Telescope team ‘Shazam of the road’: The ‘noise cameras’ which aim to crack down on Britain’s loudest drivers I knew you were trouble: Huge spike in Spotify outages as Taylor Swift’s new album arrives Good news on fall in sewage spills only highlights scale of the challenge