Scientists Trace Mysterious Radio Signals To Binary Stars! Is Space Hiding Something Huge?
For the past decade, Earth has been receiving a mysterious radio signal every two hours. Initially, this phenomenon seemed like the beginning of a sci-fi novel, but now scientists have traced the source of these pulses back to an unprecedented origin a binary system containing a long-dead star.
The Discovery of ILTJ1101
Researchers identified that the pulses are originating from a binary star system named ILTJ1101, located 1,600 light-years away in the direction of the Big Dipper, within the constellation Ursa Major. The system consists of a white dwarf and a red dwarf star that orbit each other so closely that their magnetic fields interact, creating regular radio signals. These Radio signals , which occur every 125 minutes, act like a cosmic clock, with scientists discovering a precise, recurring pattern in the emissions.
A Unique Source of Radio Signals
- The Mysterious Pulse: The pulses are not like typical fast radio bursts (FRBs). Instead, they last between a few seconds to a minute, with much lower energy compared to FRBs. These long, regular pulses are rare, making ILTJ1101’s discovery an exciting milestone for astronomers.
- New Discoveries: The unusual pulse pattern was first discovered in 2024 by Dr. Iris de Ruiter, who was analyzing data from the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope. Upon further investigation, it became clear that the source of these pulses was a binary star system.
Understanding the System
The binary system contains a red dwarf, which was observed moving in a regular pattern suggesting it was being pulled by a hidden star. After careful analysis, scientists determined this hidden star was likely a white dwarf, a dead star that doesn’t emit visible light but has a strong gravitational effect.
- Why This Matters: This discovery could change how we view other mysterious energy sources in the Milky Way. It opens the door to more research into binary star systems and their role in creating unusual radio pulses.
As researchers continue to analyze this system, they hope to inspire more studies that could uncover the origins of many unexplained radio signals found in space.
