Alien-hunting scientists reveal origin of mystery space pulse after year-long probe into surprising ‘distant object'
UF-OH? Alien-hunting scientists reveal origin of mystery space pulse after year-long probe into surprising 'distant object'
THE origin of a mysterious pulse emanating from space has finally been revealed by scientists after a year of investigation.
And it's not quite an alien civilisation trying to contact Earth, according to a new study.
2
The Relay 2, a long-dead NASA satellite, had let out a powerful signal each time it passed over the astronomers' signal detection tools
Credit: NASA
The fast radio burst (FRB), detected at the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder in June 2024, only lasted less than 30 nanoseconds.
But it was so strong that it surpassed all other signals coming from the sky.
Scientists track these bizarre space signals to understand where they came from - and explanations include everything from black holes to alien technology.
Most FRBs come from deep within space - and so it was assumed this recent powerful signal was too.
However, researchers found that the pulse had been emitted from something much closer to home: a zombie satellite.
The Relay 2, a long-dead NASA satellite, had let out a powerful signal each time it passed over the astronomers' signal detection tools.
The defunct satellite's proximity to Earth, researchers said, made its signal so unusually clear.
Launched by Nasa in 1964, the communications satellite has been stuck in Earth's orbit for decades.
It stopped working less than a year after launch, becoming another hunk of space debris.
Now - the Relay 2 hasn't been emitting signals all this time.
First mission to 'create artificial solar eclipse' using satellites will solve Sun mystery
It has been silent since its transponders broke in 1967, until now.
The research team, which published their findings in research paper archive arXiv, said it is unlikely the satellite has suddenly come back to life.
Instead, astronomers suggested that a build up of static electricity on the spacecraft reached a boiling point and then discharged - firing a pulse of energy over Earth.
Similar discharges have been seen before, the study noted.
Another possibility is that the satellite was hit by a micrometeroid - a small fleck of space rock.
While a micrometeoroid typically measures between a few micrometres to a few millimetres, the speed at which they are hurtling in Earth's orbit means they can exert a fair amount of damage.
If the satellite was struck by such an object, the collision would have released a very small cloud of plasma, according to researchers.
This plasma can magnify an FRB signal, making it seem stronger.
2
The research team, which published their findings in research paper archive arXiv, said it is unlikely the satellite has suddenly come back to life
Credit: Getty
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
37 minutes ago
- The Independent
Astronomers call for help identifying mystery object that may have just crashed into Saturn
Astronomers have called for help to identify a mystery object that may have hit Saturn on Saturday in what could be the first recorded instance of a space object crashing on to the gas giant. Studies suggest large objects – measuring over a kilometre across – strike Saturn once every 3,125 years on an average. Although data shows seven or eight small space rocks hit the planet every year, none have been spotted in the act by astronomers so far. Compared to rocky planets where cosmic collisions leave impact craters, gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn don't reveal such signs. But a new image captured by a Nasa employee and amateur astronomer Mario Rana appears to show a space object crashing into Saturn for the first time. Since gas giants have outer layers made of hydrogen and helium, strikes by asteroids or comets can quickly fade out. Ms Rana is part of the DeTeCt project, which analyses images of Jupiter and Saturn using computer software. Videos taken of Saturn by the astronomer last Saturday show a faint glow in the left side of the footage, which seems like an impact event. The Planetary Virtual Observatory and Laboratory, or PVOL, a consortium of professional and amateur astronomers, has called for experts in the field to attempt to confirm or refute the potential impact on Saturn. 'Marc Delcroix reports a potential impact in Saturn captured in a few frames in a video observation obtained by Mario Rana. The potential impact would be very faint and is unconfirmed,' PVOL said in a statement. 'The very short impact flash occurred on Saturn on 5 July 2025, between 9am and 9.15am UT. It is very important to get other videos of Saturn taken during that time frame.' PVOL has urged astronomers who may have also captured observations from this time to contact Mr Delcroix on email ( and submit their data. Leigh N Fletcher, a planetary science professor at the University of Leicester, also called for amateur space observers to share any potential videos they may have of the impact. 'Amplifying the call from Marc Delcroix and co over the weekend: the team are looking to verify/refute a potential impact on Saturn on 5 July, 9am to 9.15am UT,' Dr Fletcher wrote on BlueSky. 'Videos taken by amateur observers at that time might hold the key.'
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
How to see the Delta Aquariid meteor shower in the UK
In 2025, the annual Delta Aquariid meteor shower will be active from July 12 to August 23. The peak of the meteor shower will be towards the end of July. Here is all you need to know about the Delta Aquariid meteor shower and how to view it in the UK. What is the Delta Aquariid meteor shower? As explained by the National Space Centre (NSC) website, meteor showers are when the Earth passes through the debris of a comet. "The dust and gas left behind by the comet burn up in the atmosphere causing a shooting star." The Delta Aquariids mark the start of the summer meteor season in the Northern Hemisphere, and this year will begin on July 12 and last until August 23. It is one of two meteor showers that converge in the summer, alongside the more famous Perseids. The Delta Aquariids get their name from the constellation in the night sky that they appear to radiate from - the constellation of Aquarius, near the bright star Delta Aquarii. Must-See Sky Events in 2025 On the meteor shower's origin, Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG) says: "It was thought that the meteor shower originated from the breakup of the Marsden and Kracht sungrazing comets – comets that get within about 850,000 miles of the Sun at their closest approach. "Recently, however, another sungrazing comet called Comet 96P/Machholz has been identified as the likely source of the meteor shower. "Discovered in 1986 by Donald Machholz, the comet has an estimated diameter of four miles (6.4 kilometres) and takes just over five years to complete one orbit around the Sun. "As the comet gets heated by the Sun, ice in the comet vaporises and loosens small bits of rock and dust, which form the stream of debris that produces the Delta Aquariids meteor shower." How to view the Delta Aquariid meteor shower in the UK Despite the Delta Aquariid meteor shower being more visible in the southern hemisphere, those in the northern hemisphere will still be able to catch a glimpse. Timelapse of the Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower — Lucid Dream (@WeDontEnd) April 4, 2023 NSC says to face towards the south-east, with the meteors appearing to originate from near the star Delta Aquarii in the constellation Aquarius. However, the meteors can appear all over the sky, and as RMG explains, meteors will appear longer the further away from the radiant you look. The meteor shower can be best viewed just after midnight, with RMG predicting a "steady stream of meteors" expected over several days. While the shower doesn't have a noticeable peak, it's expected that it will reach its maximum rate on July 30. Tips on how to best view the Delta Aquariid meteor shower The Royal Museums Greenwich has provided its tips on viewing the meteor shower. Its website says to ensure to check the weather forecast ahead of time, and if the forecast isn't favourable, find a different location to observe from or view the meteor shower on another day. Tips for Night Sky Photos on Your Phone It adds that in 2025, the Delta Aquariid meteor shower's maximum occurs six days after New Moon, so observing conditions are "reasonably favourable". Top tips on viewing the shower include: Make sure that you are in a dark sky area and have an unobstructed view towards the south Lie down on a blanket or sit in a lawn chair to ensure that you have a wide view of the sky Your naked eye is the best instrument to use to see meteors – don't use binoculars or a telescope as these have narrow fields of view Allow your eyes to adapt to the dark and don't look at any lights, or at your phone, to maintain your dark adaptation The Go Stargazing website has some of the publicly accessible dark sky sites in the UK. Recommended reading: It reminds those who are going stargazing to take appropriate clothing and refreshments. It also says to bring a red torch due to it not affecting dark-adapted eyes, but adds that the "simplest of stargazing sessions needs no equipment at all". Phone apps are also a good source of knowledge, and can teach and provide a real-time view of the night sky.
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Death date' of universe revealed as scientists predict when ‘shrinking' will start before ‘Big Crunch' wipes us all out
It's a reverse Big Bang of sorts, which scientists have dubbed the "Big Crunch" GOING, GONE! 'Death date' of universe revealed as scientists predict when 'shrinking' will start before 'Big Crunch' wipes us all out THE universe will start to shrink in just 7billion years, a new study has claimed, upending the prediction that space is ever-expanding. The study, published by physicists from Cornell University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and other institutions, suggests that the universe will reach a peak size. 2 The researchers' theory hinges on dark energy, a mysterious force that makes up about 70 per cent of the known universe Credit: NASA/WMAP Science Team After that point, the universe will begin contracting until everything collapses back into a single point. A reverse Big Bang of sorts, which scientists have dubbed the "Big Crunch". Using data from a number of astronomical surveys including the Dark Energy Survey and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, the researchers predict that this "Big Crunch" will occur in approximately 33.3billion years. With the universe currently 13.8billion years old, this gives Earth and everything else roughly 20billion years before entering oblivion, according to the study. The theory is that the universe expands like a "rubber band" - eventually, the elastic force becomes stronger than the expansion, causing everything to snap back together. The researchers' theory hinges on dark energy, a mysterious force that makes up about 70 per cent of the known universe. Dark energy has long been believed to be the driving force behind the expansion of the universe. However, recent observations suggest the force might actually be dynamic - meaning it can only expand so much until it shrinks again. The new model proposed by researchers suggests the universe will continue expanding but at a gradually slowing rate. At its maximum size, about 69 per cent larger than the size it is today, a gradual contraction will begin. Mystery Martian hills found on Mars sparking hope 'time capsule' mounds will solve biggest mystery from 4BILLION yrs ago Several major astronomical projects launching in the coming years aim to provide more information on the behaviour of dark energy. These missions could confirm or rule out a "Big Crunch" scenario. Even if the terrifying outcome is confirmed, a 20billion year countdown is hardly a reason to panic. For context, complex life on Earth has existed for only about 600million years - a fraction of time in comparison. 20billion years down the line, the Sun will have died and our galaxy will have collided with the neighbouring Andromeda galaxy long before 'the great end'. The prediction also comes with a significant level of uncertainty. The researchers have acknowledged that their model has large margins of error due to limited observational data. So, alternative scenarios - including eternal expansion - are still possible.
