Stand down space cadets: there is (sadly) no alien megastructure around star KIC 8462852, also known as Tabby’s starAs if a divisive Star Wars film wasn’t bad news enough this Christmas, now an analysis by more than 200 astronomers has been published that shows the mysterious dimming of star KIC 8462852 is not being produced by an alien megastructure. It was after her that the star was nicknamed Tabby’s star. ‘Alien megastructure’ star KIC 8462852 shows no sign of life Read moreIn that time they recorded four more dips, though none were as dramatic as the originals, reaching only a percent or two. Thus, its light is passing through a dust cloud, not being blocked by an alien megastructure in orbit around the star (#sadface). Alien megastructures – where we should look next Read moreThe new analysis of KIC 8462852 showing these results is to be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Source: The Guardian January 03, 2018 15:00 UTC