World News

By Dan Collyns, Science and Technology Correspondent

LONDON, Nov 20 (Reuters) – Astronomers operating the 3I/ATLAS asteroid survey system confirmed on Thursday that their deep-space radio receivers have begun picking up a clear, repeating signal from an unknown extraterrestrial source.

After weeks of careful triangulation, researchers at the University of Hawaii’s ATLAS facility announced the transmission consists of a single track played on an endless loop: the 1980 heavy-metal anthem “Breaking the Law” by British band Judas Priest.

Dr. Larry Denneau, principal investigator for the ATLAS project, told Reuters the signal is unusually powerful and originates from a region approximately 4.2 light-years away in the direction of Proxima Centauri.

Early analysis shows the transmission opens with the unmistakable opening riff of Rob Halford’s motorcycle-revving intro, followed by the lyrics “Breaking the law, breaking the law” repeated continuously for the entire 4-minute-7-second duration before restarting.

When asked whether the content of the message could be interpreted as a threat, a visibly exhausted Denneau replied: “Look, we’re astronomers, not music critics. All we can confirm is that someone—or something—has chosen Judas Priest as its first official contact with humanity. Make of that what you will.”

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5800070&forum_id=2Elisa#49445803)