SETI followed pulsar to learn how it twinkles

Fahad Redha

January 28, 2026
2 min read

SETI followed pulsar to learn how it twinkles

The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute followed a pulsar in an effort to understand how its radio signal appears to “twinkle” as it travels through clouds of gas on its way to us.

Using the Allen Telescope Array (ATA), the team collected data from the pulsar, PSR J0332+5434 (also called B0329+54), from across different radio frequencies, from 900 to 1956 MHz. They detected slow but pronounced changes in its “twinkling behaviour” known as scintillation.

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A pulsar is a dense, rapidly spinning leftover of a massive star that exploded a long time ago. As it rotates, it emits radio flashes at high-speed intervals, allowing astronomers to use powerful radio telescopes to measure the exact arrival time of its pulses.

“Pulsars are wonderful tools that can teach us much about the universe and our own stellar neighborhood,” said project leader Grayce Brown, a SETI Institute intern. “Results like these help not just pulsar science, but other fields of astronomy as well, including SETI.”

All radio signals that pass through interstellar space go through scintillation. For researchers at SETI, it is essential to understand this effect, allowing them to distinguish between natural cosmic signals and radio interference from our own technology.

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.