Physicists face challenging mystery of strange radio signal

Astronomers recently made a puzzling discovery involving a strange radio signal that repeats every hour and cycles through three different states. This signal was first detected by the ASKAP radio telescope in Australia and was given the name ASKAP J1935+2148. The signal seems to repeat every 53.8 minutes but also cycles through three distinct states. These states include emitting flashes of light that last between 10 and 50 seconds with linear polarization, where all radio waves point in one direction. Other times, the signal is much weaker with circular polarization, lasting just 370 milliseconds, and at times the signal disappears completely.

Despite some initial theories about its origin, scientists have been unable to explain the signal based on current knowledge of physics, as reported by New Atlas. The research on this signal was published in the journal Nature Astronomy on June 5th. Dr. Manisha Caleb, the leader of the research team, noted the distinct characteristics of the signal and the challenge of explaining its varied states.

According to the research team, the most likely explanation for the strange radio signal is that it originated from a neutron star or a white dwarf. However, the signal’s characteristics do not match the expected behavior of these objects. Neutron stars and white dwarfs are both remnants of larger stars that have died, but they have key differences in their compositions and behavior. Neutron stars emit radio waves regularly, making them a prime candidate for the signal’s origin. The unique signal may be a result of interactions between the neutron star’s magnetic field and complex plasma flow. However, the slow rotation period of 54 minutes per revolution does not align with what is known about neutron stars.

While white dwarfs could potentially rotate slowly enough to match the signal’s period, the team is uncertain how a white dwarf could produce the complex radio signal they detected. This discovery is not the first time scientists have encountered a repeating radio signal from space that defies expectations. Further observation and analysis will be necessary to unravel the mystery surrounding this enigmatic radio signal.