Recurring Pulsed Cosmic Signals Known as Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)

In the world of astronomy, Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) continue to captivate researchers and enthusiasts alike. These intense, millisecond-long flashes of radio waves, originating from distant reaches of space, have been a potential focus in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).

The first repeating FRB, FRB 121102, was discovered in 2007 by Duncan Lorimer and his team using the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Since then, repeating FRBs, such as FRB 180916.J0158+65, have offered unique insights into the potential sources and behavior of these enigmatic astronomical events.

One such repeating FRB, FRB 180916.J0158+65, revealed a repeating pattern with a 16.35-day cycle, marking the first time a periodicity had been observed in an FRB. This discovery has spurred efforts to understand their origins, mechanisms, and implications for our understanding of the cosmos.

Various theories for the origins of repeating FRBs include the possibility of a binary system with celestial objects interacting, highly magnetized neutron stars called magnetars, or even extraterrestrial technology. Avi Loeb's book "Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth" briefly entertains the possibility of FRBs as a form of alien communication.

Meanwhile, on Earth, an incident occurred during the January 5, 2025, NFL game between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Videos of bright, fast-moving lights in the sky above the stadium during the second quarter circulated on social media. As of now, the incident remains unexplained.

Interestingly, UFOs or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) can emit or reflect radio waves within the 1-3 GHz and 8-12 GHz frequency ranges, the same range as FRBs. This coincidence has led some to speculate a connection between the two phenomena.

FRBs also share a property with certain crystals known as Piezoelectricity. This phenomenon allows certain crystals to generate an electrical charge in response to pressure. Crystals are used in applications involving energy, electricity, or electronics due to their unique physical properties.

Books like "Fast Radio Bursts: Observations, Theories, and Future Prospects" and "The Contact Paradox: Challenging our Assumptions in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence" (2019) provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of FRB research and the search for extraterrestrial life, respectively.

While the connection between FRBs and the incident at MetLife Stadium remains unclear, the continued study of FRBs promises to shed light on the mysteries of the universe and potentially redefine our understanding of life beyond Earth.