Mark Anthony Biddle

Two of the strangest cosmic events might share the same galactic neighborhood. And that’s too weird to ignore.

The Wow! Signal: A 72-Second Whisper From the Stars

In August 1977, a radio telescope at Ohio State University captured something extraordinary — a narrow-band signal at 1420.456 MHz, right on the hydrogen line, the frequency many scientists consider the universal “hailing channel” for interstellar communication.

Astronomer Jerry Ehman circled the data and wrote “Wow!” in the margin. That annotation gave the signal its name and launched decades of speculation.

Was it an alien transmission? A natural phenomenon? A comet cloud? Despite countless follow-up scans, the signal never repeated. It remains one of SETI’s most intriguing anomalies.

The signal’s origin? The constellation Sagittarius — a region teeming with stars near the center of our galaxy.

Fast Forward: Enter 3I/Atlas

Nearly five decades later, the universe throws us another mystery: 3I/Atlas, an interstellar object now passing through our solar system. It’s only the third confirmed visitor from beyond our star system, after ʻOumuamua and Borisov.

Where is 3I/Atlas coming from? Sagittarius.

Yes — the same galactic neighbourhood tied to the Wow! signal.

Coincidence? Probably. But coincidences this big have a way of sparking curiosity — and headlines.

Why Sagittarius Matters

The galactic center isn’t just cosmic wallpaper — it’s a dense hub of stars, dust, and radio emissions. If intelligent civilizations were looking for a “common meeting point” to broadcast signals, this region would be a logical choice. It’s the cosmic Times Square.

That’s why SETI researchers have long focused their ears on frequencies like the 1420 MHz hydrogen line and directions like Sagittarius. Both the Wow! signal and our new interstellar guest share this backdrop.

Before we drift into sci-fi territory, let’s be clear: there’s zero scientific evidence linking the Wow! signal and 3I/Atlas. But here’s why the idea captivates us:

• The Wow! signal was an anomaly that hasn’t been explained.

• 3I/Atlas is an object that shouldn’t even be here — a true interstellar traveler.

• Both line up in a way that makes our imagination run wild.

Could 3I/Atlas be natural but coincidentally aligned with a region where a signal once sparked global intrigue? Yes.

Could it be part of something bigger — a message in motion, a beacon, a probe? We can’t rule it out. And that’s what makes this fun to think about.

What Happens Next

As 3I/Atlas arcs through our solar system, astronomers worldwide are pointing telescopes at it. Meanwhile, SETI projects continue to monitor the hydrogen line for anomalies.

Some enthusiasts — myself included — are even streaming live feeds of the 1420 MHz band during this flyby. Why? Because what if?

Imagine the headline: “Signal Returns After 48 Years, During 3I/Atlas Passage.”

Will it happen? Probably not.

But the act of listening — of being curious — is what pushes science forward.

The Bigger Picture

Whether or not 3I/Atlas and the Wow! signal are connected, they both remind us of a fundamental truth:

We live in a galaxy full of mysteries, and every so often, those mysteries seem to wave at us from across the void.

So keep looking up. Keep listening. And maybe — just maybe — the next Wow! is closer than we think.