Latest news with #StephanieWissel
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Antarctic mystery deepens with radio waves detected below the ice
Mountains, sub-glacial lakes, hidden valleys, even remnants of lost civilizations: what lies under Antarctica's vast 2,000-metre thick ice sheet has long been a mystery akin to the depths of the ocean or the dark side of the moon. As big as the US and India combined, much of the frozen continent is off-limits to the handful of hardy visitors permitted each year, adding to the mystery. The sense of enigma has been heightened by the revelation that "strange radio pulses" detected in the ice defy explanation after almost a decade of trying to figure them out. First picked up in 2016 by instrument-laden balloons flown by NASA's Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) team, the inexplicable "anomalies" appear to be a "form of radio waves," according to researchers from Penn State University (PSU). But what makes the pulses anomalous is that they "appeared to be coming from below the horizon" - an orientation that "cannot be explained by the current understanding of particle physics," the researchers confirmed. "The radio waves that we detected nearly a decade ago were at really steep angles, like 30 degrees below the surface of the ice," said PSU's Stephanie Wissel, who was part of the NASA ANITA team. In other words, the pulses should have been absorbed by rock - thousands of kilometres of it going by the angle of the pulses - long before the balloons could detect them. "It's an interesting problem because we still don't actually have an explanation for what those anomalies are," Wissel said. Funded by the US Department of Energy and the US National Science Foundation, the PSU researchers were part of a team made up of dozens of scientists that worked at the world's biggest cosmic ray detector - the Pierre Auger Observatory on the western Argentine plain - to try solve the riddle. The team's attempt to decode the mystery featured in the journal Physical Review Letters in late March and was publicised in a statement released by PSU in mid-June. In mid-March, a multinational team of scientists including representatives of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) published what they described as "the most detailed map yet" of sub-glacial Antarctica. Showing the shape of the continent were it ice-free, the map showed a tapestry of islands, mountains and valleys and revealed the ice's thickest point to be an approximately 4,700-metre section filling an unnamed canyon.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Bizarre radio signals that defy physics detected under Antarctica
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Instruments flying more than 18 miles (29 kilometers) above Antarctica detected two unexplainable radio pulses coming from below the ice — and these signals seem to defy particle physics. Researchers determined the radio pulses came from angles around 30 degrees below Antarctica's surface, which the laws of physics theoretically prohibit. Calculations suggest the signals had to pass through thousands of miles of rock to get to the surface; however, scientists expect the pulses to be absorbed by the rock on this journey, rendering them undetectable. The research team is now looking deeper into what could have caused the unexpected pulses. They ruled out some possible explanations using the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina and shared those findings in a study published March 27 in the journal Physical Review Letters. "It's an interesting problem because we still don't actually have an explanation for what those anomalies are," Stephanie Wissel, a particle physicist and co-author of the study, said in a statement. The mysterious pulses were first detected by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment. ANITA comprises 24 radio antennas attached to a NASA balloon, located near the south pole to avoid signal interference. Related: Antimatter detected on International Space Station could reveal new physics The project was designed to capture data about neutrinos — subatomic particles that are especially difficult to study because they lack electric charge and have minimal mass. These elusive characteristics have earned them the nickname "ghost particles". But the confusing radio signals are "most likely not representing neutrinos," Wissel said. Existing models, she explained, predict that pulses caused by neutrinos would originate from angles very far from 30 degrees under the surface. The new study provides further evidence that neutrinos are probably not involved. Using complex mathematical models and simulations, the research team also ruled out noise and known particle interactions as sources of the signals. They even examined data from other experiments to see if they observed any interaction that could cause the pulses, to no avail. Since these observations can't be explained by the Standard Model, the theory that describes subatomic particles, the phenomenon responsible for these pulses could be key to unlocking new scientific understanding. "More research needs to be done on this," Benjamin Flaggs, a physics graduate student at the University of Delaware and co-author of the study, told Live Science. "There are theorists proposing some beyond-standard-model interactions from different types of particles," he said. If neutrinos aren't responsible for the radio signals, then what is? Some theories suggest the signals are coming from dark matter — the invisible entity that makes up about 27% of the universe, but which remains poorly understood — Wissel said. But more data is needed before coming to any meaningful conclusion. Wissel favors the theory that the origin of these pulses may be explained by some as-of-yet unknown behavior of radio waves, but there's no evidence to support this guess, either. "So, right now, it's one of these long-standing mysteries," she said. RELATED STORIES —Mysterious particles spewing from Antarctica defy physics —Monster antimatter particle slams into Antarctica —Bizarre Particles Keep Flying Out of Antarctica's Ice, and They Might Shatter Modern Physics The Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations, a new balloon-based instrument, with advanced levels of sensitivity, is expected to help solve this puzzle by detecting more anomalies, thus providing more data to be scrutinized. "The more data we can get, the better we can get our statistical error," Flaggs said. The instrument will launch from Antarctica in December. "We haven't discovered everything yet," Flaggs added. "It's exciting for researchers because these are problems that no one else has figured out before."
Scottish Sun
18-06-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
‘Mystery pulse' spotted 25 miles ABOVE Antarctica is ‘unknown to science' as baffled experts say they ‘don't understand'
The mysterious radio waves were being emitted at a steep angle below the ice SURPR-ICE! 'Mystery pulse' spotted 25 miles ABOVE Antarctica is 'unknown to science' as baffled experts say they 'don't understand' STRANGE radio pulses detected roughly 25 miles (40km) above Antarctica could be the mark of a new cosmic particle, according to a new study. This rare signal was first detected by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) in 2006, a series of tools floating over icy continent carried by balloons. Advertisement 3 The now-retired ANITA experiment aimed to detect ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic neutrinos - or "ghost particles" - and other cosmic rays Credit: Stephanie Wissel / Penn State. 3 ANITA is a series of tools that floated over Antarctica carried by balloons Credit: Stephanie Wissel / Penn State. The now-retired ANITA experiment aimed to detect ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic neutrinos - or "ghost particles" - and other cosmic rays as they rain down on Earth from space. While ANITA usually picks up cosmic signals that bounce off the ice, this new radio pulse came from beneath the horizon and under the ice sheet. Its orientation cannot currently be explained by particle physics, a study in the journal Physical Review Letters wrote. A similar event was recorded in 2014, and it has continued to baffle scientists. Advertisement The mysterious radio waves were being emitted at a steep angle below the ice, suggesting they had to pass through thousands of miles of rock before reaching ANITA. All those obstacles would typically leave a radio pulse too faint to be detectable - but not this signal. "It's an interesting problem, because we still don't actually have an explanation for what those anomalies are," ANITA team member and Penn State University researcher Stephanie Wissel said in a statement. "What we do know is that they're most likely not representing neutrinos." Advertisement Scientists have ruled out neutrinos, the most common particle in the universe. Neutrinos are unofficially known as "ghost particles" due to the fact that they don't have any mass or carry any charge. "You have a billion neutrinos passing through your thumbnail at any moment, but neutrinos don't really interact," added Wissel. Inside abandoned Antarctic clifftop 'ghost station' where Soviet boffins battled -90C gales 1000s of miles from anywhere "So, this is the double-edged sword problem. If we detect them, it means they have traveled all this way without interacting with anything else. Advertisement "We could be detecting a neutrino coming from the edge of the observable Universe." Scientists suspected that a supernova erupting in space could have coughed a slew of neutrinos in Earth's direction. An international team of researchers attempting to solve the mystery conducted a series of simulations to see if the 2006 and 2014 events align with any significant cosmic events, with data from the the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. There was a supernova that aligned with the signals captured in 2014, but not the 2006 event. Advertisement So there is no clear indication that this cosmic event is what caused the bizarre radio waves. What scientists have done, however, is narrow down their set of explanations. "My guess is that some interesting radio propagation effect occurs near ice and also near the horizon that I don't fully understand, but we certainly explored several of those, and we haven't been able to find any of those yet either," said Wissel. "So, right now, it's one of these long-standing mysteries, and I'm excited that when we fly [Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations], we'll have better sensitivity. Advertisement "In principle, we should pick up more anomalies, and maybe we'll actually understand what they are. "We also might detect neutrinos, which would in some ways be a lot more exciting."
The Irish Sun
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
‘Mystery pulse' spotted 25 miles ABOVE Antarctica is ‘unknown to science' as baffled experts say they ‘don't understand'
STRANGE radio pulses detected roughly 25 miles (40km) above Antarctica could be the mark of a new cosmic particle, according to a new study. This rare signal was first detected by the Advertisement 3 The now-retired ANITA experiment aimed to detect ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic neutrinos - or "ghost particles" - and other cosmic rays Credit: Stephanie Wissel / Penn State. 3 ANITA is a series of tools that floated over Antarctica carried by balloons Credit: Stephanie Wissel / Penn State. The now-retired ANITA experiment aimed to detect ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic neutrinos - or "ghost particles" - and other cosmic rays as they rain down on Earth from space. While ANITA usually picks up cosmic signals that bounce off the ice, this new radio pulse came from beneath the horizon and under the ice sheet. Its orientation cannot currently be explained by particle physics, a A similar event was recorded in 2014, and it has continued to baffle scientists. Advertisement READ MORE ON ANTARCTICA The mysterious radio waves were being emitted at a steep angle below the ice, suggesting they had to pass through thousands of miles of rock before reaching ANITA. All those obstacles would typically leave a radio pulse too faint to be detectable - but not this signal. "It's an interesting problem, because we still don't actually have an explanation for what those anomalies are," ANITA team member and Penn State University researcher Stephanie Wissel "What we do know is that they're most likely not representing neutrinos." Advertisement Most read in Science Exclusive Scientists have ruled out neutrinos, the most common particle in the universe. Neutrinos are unofficially known as "ghost particles" due to the fact that they don't have any mass or carry any charge. "You have a billion neutrinos passing through your thumbnail at any moment, but neutrinos don't really interact," added Wissel. Inside abandoned Antarctic clifftop 'ghost station' where Soviet boffins battled -90C gales 1000s of miles from anywhere "So, this is the double-edged sword problem. If we detect them, it means they have traveled all this way without interacting with anything else. Advertisement " We could be detecting a neutrino coming from the edge of the observable Universe." Scientists suspected that a supernova erupting in space could have coughed a slew of neutrinos in Earth's direction. An international team of researchers attempting to solve the mystery conducted a series of simulations to see if the 2006 and 2014 events align with any significant cosmic events, with data from the the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina . There was a supernova that aligned with the signals captured in 2014, but not the 2006 event. Advertisement So there is no clear indication that this cosmic event is what caused the bizarre radio waves. What scientists have done, however, is narrow down their set of explanations. "My guess is that some interesting radio propagation effect occurs near ice and also near the horizon that I don't fully understand, but we certainly explored several of those, and we haven't been able to find any of those yet either," said Wissel. "So, right now, it's one of these long-standing mysteries, and I'm excited that when we fly [Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations], we'll have better sensitivity. Advertisement "In principle, we should pick up more anomalies, and maybe we'll actually understand what they are. "We also might detect neutrinos, which would in some ways be a lot more exciting." 3 The mysterious radio waves were being emitted at a steep angle below the ice, suggesting they had to pass through thousands of miles of rock before reaching ANITA Credit: Getty
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Sun
‘Mystery pulse' spotted 25 miles ABOVE Antarctica is ‘unknown to science' as baffled experts say they ‘don't understand'
STRANGE radio pulses detected roughly 25 miles (40km) above Antarctica could be the mark of a new cosmic particle, according to a new study. This rare signal was first detected by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) in 2006, a series of tools floating over icy continent carried by balloons. 3 The now-retired ANITA experiment aimed to detect ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic neutrinos - or "ghost particles" - and other cosmic rays as they rain down on Earth from space. While ANITA usually picks up cosmic signals that bounce off the ice, this new radio pulse came from beneath the horizon and under the ice sheet. Its orientation cannot currently be explained by particle physics, a study in the journal Physical Review Letters wrote. A similar event was recorded in 2014, and it has continued to baffle scientists. The mysterious radio waves were being emitted at a steep angle below the ice, suggesting they had to pass through thousands of miles of rock before reaching ANITA. All those obstacles would typically leave a radio pulse too faint to be detectable - but not this signal. "It's an interesting problem, because we still don't actually have an explanation for what those anomalies are," ANITA team member and Penn State University researcher Stephanie Wissel said in a statement. "What we do know is that they're most likely not representing neutrinos." Scientists have ruled out neutrinos, the most common particle in the universe. Neutrinos are unofficially known as "ghost particles" due to the fact that they don't have any mass or carry any charge. "You have a billion neutrinos passing through your thumbnail at any moment, but neutrinos don't really interact," added Wissel. "So, this is the double-edged sword problem. If we detect them, it means they have traveled all this way without interacting with anything else. "We could be detecting a neutrino coming from the edge of the observable Universe." Scientists suspected that a supernova erupting in space could have coughed a slew of neutrinos in Earth's direction. An international team of researchers attempting to solve the mystery conducted a series of simulations to see if the 2006 and 2014 events align with any significant cosmic events, with data from the the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. There was a supernova that aligned with the signals captured in 2014, but not the 2006 event. So there is no clear indication that this cosmic event is what caused the bizarre radio waves. What scientists have done, however, is narrow down their set of explanations. "My guess is that some interesting radio propagation effect occurs near ice and also near the horizon that I don't fully understand, but we certainly explored several of those, and we haven't been able to find any of those yet either," said Wissel. "So, right now, it's one of these long-standing mysteries, and I'm excited that when we fly [Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations], we'll have better sensitivity. "In principle, we should pick up more anomalies, and maybe we'll actually understand what they are. "We also might detect neutrinos, which would in some ways be a lot more exciting." 3
