Scientists detect possible magnetar emitting mysterious radio signals

A team of astrophysicists from the International Research Center for Radio Astronomy (ICRAR) in Australia, in research published in the scientific journal Nature, mysterious radio signals detected It spread in a region located 15,000 light-years from Earth. The detection of the cosmic object GPM J1839-10 indicates that it emits radio waves every 22 minutes.

The scientists detected the object using data collected by the Murchison Widefield Array low-frequency radio telescope in Australia. The team also detailed some features of GPM J1839-10, using data from other telescopes to confirm the observations; For example, it is described that the object has been detected by emitting waves since 1988.

Natasha Hurley-Walker, leader of the ICRAR astrophysics team, explains the most likely theory: The data show that the source of the mysterious radio signals came from a very slow rotating magnetar.. The team even explains that the discovery was made after another detection of a similar object several years ago.

“This remarkable object challenges our understanding of neutron stars and magnetars, some of the most exotic and extreme objects in the Universe. “I was five years old when our telescopes first recorded the vibrations from this object, but no one noticed, and it was hidden in the data for 33 years,” says Hurley-Walker. said.

Radio and magnetar signals

it was noticed that the object emits the same change as the magnetic field from a magnetarmeanwhile, it has a light profile very similar to the pulses emitted by neutron stars. But the scientists explain that the most interesting thing is that the radio waves don’t fit the current understanding of magnetars, suggesting there is something mysterious about the object.

Natasha explains that the GPM J1839-10 spins too slowly to generate radio waves; To create the waves, the object had to be above a threshold called the “death line”. However, it is below this level and still continues to throw strong radio signals.

“Assuming it’s a magnetar, this object shouldn’t be able to generate radio waves. But we see them. And we’re not just talking about a small amount of radio emission. Every 22 minutes, it emits five minute pulses of wavelength energy, and it’s been doing this for at least 33 years. whatever the mechanism is, it’s outstanding,” adds Hurley-Walker.

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