In the opinion of astronomers, the massive new LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) telescope, which is partly run by the University of Kent, could facilitate the discovery of alien life.

LOFAR recently captured some near-perfect images of a black hole – called the quasar 3C196 - in a far-flung galaxy. The black hole forms part of a patch of sky 15 degrees wide; that is, the size of almost a thousand full moons.

Essentially a network of antennae situated throughout Europe, LOFAR – which sends and receive images from space via radio waves – boasts the capability of generating images that are three-fold sharper than those possible earlier. The telescope has been designed to ‘listen’ to the universe just above and below the FM radio band.

Built by Astron, the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, LOFAR is currently being extended across Europe; and, along with deep cosmology, the antennae will also be used for monitoring the activity of the Sun. In addition, it will also study planets and understand more about lightning and geo-magnetic storms.

Noting that the LOFAR telescope can help scientists “picture the distant universe in (such) detail” and discover intelligent life on other planets, Professor Michael Smith, from the Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science at the University of Kent, said: “We’re getting close to finding out if there are other civilisations out there, and logic dictates that there should be, given the sheer size of the universe.”