Originally spotted by the KEPLER Telescope in 2009, the enigmatic star originally had alien enthusiasts extremely excited at the prospect of the object potentially being artificially alien in origin, until scientists theorised it was likely a cluster of comets in orbit around the object.
Recently however, the latest research on the enigma shows that the star has been dimming for over a century, which astronomers advise discounts the comet theory, leaving them back at square one, puzzled as to what could be causing the strange behaviour seen.
Most planet-hosting stars show slight periodic dips when their planets pass in front of them, however KIC 8462852 seems to show extremely erratic dips, indicative of a large, tightly packed cluster of matter in its orbit.
“The comet-family idea was reasonably put forth as the best of the proposals, even while acknowledging that they all were a poor lot,” said astrophysicist Bradley Schaefer. “But now we have a refutation of the idea, and indeed, of all published ideas.”
Could this be the first (publicly released) sign in the heavens that we are not alone?
