Life in the cosmos

Fast radio bursts

2007 to now · Distant galaxies

ExplainedA solid ordinary explanation fits the evidence.

The claim

"Millisecond radio flashes from deep space could be alien transmitters."

Where the idea comes from

The first FRB was found in archival data in 2007; their power and brevity invited speculation, including alien light-sail beams.

The first fast radio burst found, the "Lorimer burst" of 2001, published in 2007.
The first fast radio burst found, the "Lorimer burst" of 2001, published in 2007. Photo: Psr1909, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What the evidence shows

  1. Thousands are now known, coming from galaxies across the universe.
  2. In April 2020 a burst was detected from SGR 1935+2154, a magnetar in our own galaxy, linking at least some FRBs to magnetars.
  3. Some FRBs repeat with patterns tied to their environment, consistent with natural sources.

What is still open

Not every FRB's source is identified, but there is no sign of encoded information.

Our verdict

Explained Magnetars, not messages.

Sources

Checked 31 October 2026. Spotted a newer source? Tell us.

Advertisement

More from Life in the cosmos

See all
UnprovenThe Wow! signalAugust 1977 · Big Ear telescope, OhioA 72-second radio burst was the best alien signal ever received.Explained"Little Green Men 1"1967 · Cambridge, EnglandA radio pulse ticking every 1.3 seconds was an alien beacon.ExplainedBLC1 from Proxima Centauri2019, analysed 2021 · Parkes telescope, AustraliaA narrow radio signal seemed to come from our nearest star.ExplainedTabby's Star2015 to 2018 · KIC 8462852A star dimming by up to 22% could be surrounded by an alien megastructure.UnprovenPhosphine on VenusSeptember 2020 · VenusA gas made by microbes on Earth was found in Venus's clouds.Worth watchingK2-18b and dimethyl sulfideApril 2025 · 124 light years awayThe James Webb telescope found a gas that on Earth only life makes.