Astronomers using a Russian telescope say they've picked up a "strong signal" coming from a faraway star that some think could be a sign of intelligent life.

Researchers are now examining the signal that came from star HD 164595, about 94 light years away.

Italian astronomer Claudio Maccone and others described it in a paper as a "strong candidate for SETI," or extraterrestrial intelligence.

"The signal from HD 164595 is intriguing because it comes from the vicinity of a sun-like star, and if it's artificial, its strength is great enough that it was clearly made by a civilization with capabilities beyond those of humankind," astronomer Douglas Vakoch told CNN. Vakoch is president of METI International, which searches for life beyond Earth.

Maccone added whenever a strong signal is detected, "it's a good possibility for some nearby civilization to be detected."

According to Paul Gilster of Tau Zero Foundation, if the signal is that of artificial life, it is likely from a planet more advanced than us.

But Seth Shostak, a senior astronomer with the SETI Institute, said that "it's hard to understand why anyone would want to target our solar system with a strong signal."

"This star system is so far away they won't have yet picked up on any TV or radar that would tell them that we're here," he added in his statement.

The likelihood is low that the signal is actually from an alien civilization, but Shostak said it's "possible."

The SETI Institute is also examining HD 164595, using the Allen Telescope Array in California.