On this day in space! Aug. 15

Research matters when it gives scientists better tools or clearer answers. The question is whether this work actually advances understanding or just adds noise.

Reporting

Space.com reports that On this day in space! Aug. 15, 1977: Mysterious 'Wow!' Signal boosts search for E.T.. On Aug. 15, 1977, astronomers using Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope detected the famous "Wow!" signal , which to this day is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we are not alone in the universe. Astronomer Jerry Ehman was using the telescope to scan a region in the constellation Sagittarius when it detected a weird, 72-second-long… The key issue is what the mission or observation makes possible next: better data, stronger hardware, new experiments, or clearer science.

The Details

• Space.com: On this day in space! Aug. 15, 1977: Mysterious 'Wow!' Signal boosts search for E.T
• On Aug. 15, 1977, astronomers using Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope detected the famous "Wow!" signal , which to this day is one of the strongest pieces of evidence that we

Next Developments

• scientific results from the mission
• follow-up research publications
• practical applications on Earth