The WOW! signal is a mysterious astronomical signal discovered on August 15, 1977, by astronomer Jerry R. Ehman from Ohio State University. Captured by the Big Ear radio telescope in Delaware County, Ohio, USA, it remains one of the most famous and puzzling signals found in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) program. Named for Ehman's comment "WOW!" written next to the printed signal record, the signal lasted for a full 72 seconds, representing an extreme anomaly in the strength and duration of signals detected by the SETI project. Despite years of research and attempts, scientists have yet to explain the source of the WOW! signal, and no similar signals have been captured since, making it a lasting mystery in astronomical and SETI research.
