Astronomers Surprised to Detect Mysterious Celestial Object Emitting Bright Flashes of Radio Waves Repeatedly
Powerful telescopes have helped several astronomers notice some mind-blowing phenomena in space. Another astounding visual got added to the list in 2024 when NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory detected unexpected emissions from a mysterious cosmic object, according to CNN. Findings regarding this detection have been published in the journal Nature.
The cosmic object in question is ASKAP J1832-0911, which is located about 15,000 light-years from Earth in the Milky Way Galaxy. Astronomers observed X-rays and bright flashes of radio waves emanating from the object. This was surprising for experts, as they did not expect such activity around a possible long-period (radio) transient.
The X-rays have indicated to researchers that LPTs are possibly more energetic than previously believed. X-rays happen when the object undergoes an impactful event, which means ASKAP J1832-0911 and possibly other LPTs are somewhat active. The unique presence of this astronomical object has also made some researchers question whether it is even a representative of LPTs.
LPTs were first spotted back in 2022, according to Space. Astronomers define the objects as flashing bodies that release radio pulses at certain intervals. These intervals could range from a few minutes to a few hours. After the first specimen was spotted, ten more have been uncovered by astronomers. ASKAP J1832-0911, also believed to be an LPT, stands apart with its features. Initially located by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope, the body underwent further investigation through NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope.
The data gathered by NASA's telescope showcased that not only are the radio emissions highly periodic and atypical, but they are also being mimicked in X-rays. None of the previous LPTs had been observed in both high-energy X-ray light and low-energy radio wave light. Researchers estimated that the flashing took place both in radio waves and X-rays for two minutes every 44 minutes. Experts are hopeful that these observations will help them understand more about LPTs and the mechanism they essentially use to produce their signals. "This object is unlike anything we have seen before," shared team leader and Curtin University researcher Zieng (Andy) Wang.
As the team monitored the body, they got more startled by its distinctive features, according to SciTech. Researchers noted that over six months, emissions from ASKAP J1832-0911 faded at a very fast pace. Such a change, along with short-term pulses, has not been seen in any cosmic body within the Milky Way Galaxy.
Many theories have been put forward regarding the identity of ASKAP J1832-0911 and somewhere by extension, of LPTs. Some believe it could be a magnetar, a neutron star with an extremely strong magnetic field. This assertion was made based on the fact that some features of ASKAP J1832- 0911 matched with those of Magnetar; however, many also didn't. Others think it could be a supernova remnant, but many experts have chalked up ASKAP J1832- 0911's presence in a supernova to a coincidence. Researchers think that the data about ASKAP J1832- 0911 could make sense if it is a system of a white star along with a companion star. However, in this case, the system would also need the strongest magnetic field ever associated with a white dwarf star in space.