Latest news with #AustralianSquareKilometreArrayPathfinder
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers detect pulse from satellite that has been dead for decades
PERTH, Australia - Astronomers in Australia believe they have detected a rare radio emission from a satellite that hasn't been heard from in decades. According to the team operating the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, a brief burst of energy from NASA's Relay-2 satellite was detected on June 13, 2024, lasting just 30 nanoseconds — an incredibly short duration. NASA originally launched the communication satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in January 1964. Relay-2 was intended to support communications and assist with mapping radiation belts around Earth, but the satellite began losing transponders in 1966 and suffered a full communications failure on June 9, 1967. So, what caused this sudden signal to reach Earth nearly 60 years later? Scientists have offered a few possibilities. "We consider an electrostatic discharge (ESD) or plasma discharge following a micrometeoroid impact to be plausible explanations for the burst," researchers wrote in a recently released study. See The Objects Humans Left Behind On The Moon The mysterious occurrence is not the first time a defunct satellite has emitted a surprising signal. In 2012, amateur radio operators picked up a pulse from the United States Air Force's Lincoln Experimental Satellite, known as LES-1. That satellite became inactive in 1967, but experts believe its mode of failure, combined with its orbit, allowed it to intermittently transmit signals when its solar-powered batteries were properly aligned with the Sun. Similar events occurred in 2002 and 2010, but occurrences of satellites suddenly showing signs of life are relatively rare. Satellites that unexpectedly come back to life after being declared inoperative are often dubbed "zombie satellites." The Natural History Museum in London estimates that around 2,000 active satellites are currently orbiting Earth, along with more than 3,000 defunct ones. Depending on their design and purpose, satellites typically function for 10 to 15 years but can persist in orbit for much longer. See Renderings Of Space Station To Be Built Around The Moon Unlike previous incidents that were linked to residual battery activity, Australian researchers believe the Relay-2 signal was likely triggered by a sudden electrostatic charge or a small meteoroid strike, both of which can cause unexpected discharges of energy. Researchers say the frequency burst could pave the way for detecting other sudden electrical discharges, with monitoring systems that are already readily available on article source: Astronomers detect pulse from satellite that has been dead for decades
News18
09-06-2025
- Science
- News18
A Strange Signal Is Coming From Space Every 44 Minutes, Scientists Are Baffled
Last Updated: According to Professor Nanda Rea of Spain's Institute of Space Sciences, the discovery hints at the presence of many more such unknown objects hiding across the cosmos A strange celestial object, unlike anything ever observed before, has been discovered by astronomers in Australia. The detection of ASKAP J1832-0911, an object that emits radio and X-ray signals every 44 minutes, is being hailed as a breakthrough that could reshape how scientists understand the universe. The object sends out powerful pulses that last for about two minutes each. These signals were picked up simultaneously by two major observatories: Australia's ASKAP (Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder) radio telescope and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The rare synchronicity of this observation has made the discovery all the more remarkable. Dr Andy Wang from Curtin University, who was part of the research team, described the find as 'like discovering a needle in a haystack". This object doesn't behave like anything we've ever seen before, he added. ASKAP J1832-0911 appears to belong to a relatively new class of celestial phenomena known as Long-Period Transients, or LPTs. These objects were first identified in 2022 and are known for emitting signals over unusually long intervals. However, this is the first time that any LPT has been observed sending out X-rays along with radio waves. What could it be? Scientists are still unsure. One theory suggests that the object could be a magnetar, a remnant core of a collapsed star with an extremely strong magnetic field. Another hypothesis proposes it may be part of a binary star system involving a highly magnetic white dwarf. But even these explanations do not fully account for its unusual behaviour. According to Professor Nanda Rea of Spain's Institute of Space Sciences, the discovery hints at the presence of many more such unknown objects hiding across the cosmos. 'This is just the beginning," she said, adding that the fact that they caught the signal in both radio and X-ray frequencies at the same time shows that they were on the verge of something bigger. The dual-frequency nature of the signals could help astronomers develop new tools and methods for identifying similar phenomena, potentially uncovering more hidden secrets of the universe. For now, ASKAP J1832-0911 remains an enigma, but one that may open new windows into the unknown chapters of space. First Published: June 09, 2025, 17:06 IST
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Teleios: A mysterious sphere floating in the Milky Way
Teleios (Image source: Scientists are puzzled by the discovery of a perfectly spherical object floating in the Milky Way , which emits only radio signals. Named Teleios , this strange structure does not give off visible light, infrared glow, or detectable X-rays, only faint radio emissions. The discovery defies simple explanations and raises questions about how such a perfectly round object could exist in space. Teleios first drew attention when scientists observed a circular region emitting subtle radio waves, despite showing no signs of light or heat. The object was discovered by a team led by Professor Miroslav D. Filipović of Western Sydney University , using data from Australia's ASKAP (Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder) telescope. Strange sphere, Teleios found in the Milky Way Although located within our galaxy, Teleios is completely invisible to the human eye. It lies thousands of trillions of miles from Earth, yet its radio signals traveled all the way to our telescopes. According to experts believe Teleios has a low surface brightness; its soft radio glow was detected during an all-sky survey carried out by ASKAP. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Rafael Castillo (ver precio) Verisure Undo Its remarkable symmetry is challenging scientists to reconsider common assumptions about space structures. Based on the radio data, scientists estimate Teleios could be up to 157 light-years in diameter. While some researchers believe it might be the remnant of a long-ago stellar explosion, its smooth, round shape has also led to speculation that it could be a young supernova remnant or a more mature structure. What scientists do agree on is that Teleios lies in a remote, quiet region of space, expanding silently and standing out due to its near-perfect symmetry. As one researcher noted, 'This unique object has never been seen at any wavelength, including visible light Is Teleios a supernova Some members of the research team suggest Teleios might be a massive bubble formed by stellar winds, but they can't rule out the possibility that it's an expanding cloud of gas and dust left behind after a star exploded. Teleios has only been detected in radio wavelengths, which are the longest waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. This highlights the important role of radio telescopes in spotting rare cosmic objects that would otherwise go unnoticed by human eyes or regular optical instruments. The debate continues. Some scientists believe a white dwarf may have caused the explosion, slowly gaining mass far from crowded star clusters. Others think Teleios may have exploded in a quiet, outer part of the Milky Way, where fewer stars and less gas allowed it to expand in a smooth, undisturbed way. One theory proposes that the star blew away surrounding material before it exploded, making the nearby space even emptier and allowing for its perfectly rounded shape. Unanswered questions about Teleios Scientists are planning follow-up observations to see if Teleios changes shape over time or remains spherical. Future studies using different wavelengths might help confirm whether stellar winds, debris, or a rare kind of stellar event shaped this symmetrical shell. Right now, no single piece of evidence gives a clear answer. Teleios remains a mystery, and each clue brings more questions. Even the presence or absence of faint remnants inside the sphere could challenge our current understanding of how stars live and die, or reveal rare cosmic conditions we've never seen before. Also read | Is the 'doomsday fish' a real omen of disaster? Here's what scientists say
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Mysterious space object sends signals to Earth every 44 minutes, scientists baffled
Astronomers in Australia have detected a mysterious cosmic object , named ASKAP J1832-0911 , that sends out bursts of radio and X-ray signals every 44 minutes, an occurrence unlike anything previously observed. The discovery was made using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and NASA's powerful Chandra X-ray Observatory. The signals last for about two minutes and reappear at consistent intervals, leaving scientists puzzled. This rare behaviour classifies the object as a long-period transient (LPT), a phenomenon not well understood. The discovery raises new questions about the evolution of dead stars and the possibilities of unknown space physics. How does the mysterious object ASKAP behave ASKAP J1832-0911 doesn't behave like any known star or pulsar. While typical pulsars emit rapid pulses lasting milliseconds or seconds, this object produces signals at much longer and consistent intervals. It 'switches on' and 'switches off' every 44 minutes, a rhythmic pattern that puzzles scientists. This behaviour defies existing theories of stellar remnants, which generally operate on much shorter timescales. The precise timing and strength of these signals suggest a mechanism we have yet to fully understand. With no known counterparts in current astrophysical databases, this object may represent a new class of transient phenomena in deep space. Possible explanations of sending signals every 44 minutes Scientists suggest that ASKAP J1832-0911 could be a type of magnetar, a highly magnetic remnant of a dead star, or a binary system involving a white dwarf. However, none of these theories fully explain the signal pattern. The regularity and intensity of the pulses point toward unknown or poorly understood physics, sparking interest in developing new models. The role of cutting-edge observatories The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory played a key role in this discovery. ASKAP detected the radio pulses, while Chandra confirmed X-ray emissions from the same source. This multi-wavelength approach provided the necessary evidence to classify the object and rule out common causes like interference or background noise. What makes this discovery important This may be the first indication of a new class of celestial bodies. Long-period transients are extremely rare, and this one could reshape how we understand stellar remnants and high-energy cosmic events. It also highlights the importance of continuous sky monitoring to catch such unusual phenomena in action. Next steps in the investigation Astronomers plan to search for similar signals across the sky using the same observatories. Identifying more objects like ASKAP J1832-0911 could confirm whether it is truly unique or part of a hidden population. Future observations may also uncover details about its origin, energy source, and possible implications for space science.
New York Post
31-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Astronomers baffled by mystery object flashing signals at Earth every 44 minutes: ‘Like nothing we've ever seen'
The truth is out there. Astronomers say they're stunned by an unidentified object flashing strange signals from deep space. The object, named ASKAP J1832-0911, was detected by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and NASA'S Chandra X-ray observatory — the world's most powerful X-ray telescope. 'It is unlike anything we have seen before,' Andy Wang, an astronomer at Curtin University in Perth, Australia, declared in a statement published this week. ASKAP J1832-0911 emits pulses of radio waves and X-rays for two minutes every 44 minutes, according to the experts, who documented their findings in Nature journal. An image of the sky showing the region around ASKAP J1832-0911. Ziteng Wang, ICRAR ASKAP J1832-0911 has been classified as a 'long-period transient' or 'LPT' — a cosmic body that emits radio pulses separated by a few minutes or a few hours. Wang and has team theorize that the object could be a dead star, but they don't know why it 'switches on' and 'switches off' at 'long, regular and unusual intervals,' reports. 'ASKAP J1831-0911 could be a magnetar (the core of a dead star with powerful magnetic fields), or it could be a pair of stars in a binary system where one of the two is a highly magnetised white dwarf (a low-mass star at the end of its evolution),' Wang wrote. 'However, even those theories do not fully explain what we are observing,' he added. 'This discovery could indicate a new type of physics or new models of stellar evolution.' Wang and his team hope to detect similar another using radio waves and the Chandra X-ray observatory, saying a subsequent discovery will help them learn more about the nature of such LPTs. An artist's illustration of NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory in space. NASA/CXC & J. Vaughan, NASA/CXC & J. Vaughan It's not the only space discovery to hit headlines and spark conversation in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Cambridge University Press revealed that astronomers had detected a signal extracted from interstellar noise that could be a sign of active biology on another planet. 'Astronomers have detected the most promising signs yet of a possible biosignature outside the solar system, although they remain cautious,' a press release from the prestigious publisher read.
