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How Does One Accurately Locate the Source of an Astronomical Signal?

-- Krishnaraj | June 23, 2021

Question:

I am an amateur astronomer. I am also very interested in SETI. I have a doubt, and I am expecting help. Suppose we got a strong radio signal from space, how can we possibly say that it was from that star or this star? I red that some Russian scientists got a signal from HD 164595. When I tried to locate the star through my telescope I saw a lot of stars around it, So I hope my doubt is clear that how can you say that the signal’s origin is from that star system.

-- Krishnaraj

Answer:

In most cases it requires high spatial resolution measurements of an object in order to accurately associate it with a measured signal. For example, we use interferometers at radio and millimeter wavelengths to accurately locate sources of emission from stars and galaxies. We also use the properties of the measured emission to identify the most likely source of that emission. For example, stars and galaxies possess objects with identifiable emission processes, such as that from electrons spiraling around magnetic fields, which further allow us to associate a source of emission with a star or galaxy.

-- Jeff Mangum

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