Scientists thought they found a 'zombie' in space. Turns out, it was something even stranger
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In June last year, astronomers scanning the sky from the remote deserts of Western Australia picked up a sudden, blinding burst of radio energy. The signal was so powerful, it temporarily outshone every other radio source in the sky, according to a report of CNN.At first, the team at Curtin University believed they had discovered something extraordinary — perhaps a new type of astronomical object or an ultra-rare fast radio burst (FRB) from within our galaxy.'We were really excited,' Dr. Clancy James, associate professor at Curtin's Institute of Radio Astronomy, told CNN. 'It looked like we had found an unknown object near Earth.'The data came from the ASKAP telescope , an advanced array of 36 large antennas spread across the Wajarri Yamaji Country in Western Australia. This setup is usually used to detect FRBs — intense, millisecond-long bursts of radio energy from distant galaxies, potentially caused by exotic phenomena like magnetars, the ultra-magnetic remains of dead stars.These bursts are not only puzzling but also powerful tools for mapping the "missing" matter in the universe. But this particular signal wasn't behaving like a normal FRB.Unlike typical FRBs that originate billions of light-years away, this burst appeared to be shockingly close — just 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) from Earth. When the team zoomed into the data, the image became blurry — a telltale sign the source was much closer than expected.After sifting through satellite databases, the astronomers matched the source to Relay 2, a long-defunct U.S. communications satellite launched in 1964. Relay 2 had been orbiting silently since its instruments failed in 1967.But this sparked an even more bizarre question: Could a dead satellite suddenly burst back to life?The leading theory is an electrostatic discharge — a burst of energy caused by a buildup of electric charge on the satellite's surface, similar to the shock you get from touching a doorknob after walking on carpet. When the charge releases, it can emit a sharp flash of radio energy.While these discharges are common and often harmless, the intensity and brevity of this one — just 30 nanoseconds long — was unprecedented. In fact, it was 2,000 to 3,000 times brighter than any other signal the ASKAP instrument typically detects.Another possibility, though less likely, is that a micrometeorite no larger than a grain of sand slammed into Relay 2 at extreme speed, causing a burst of plasma and radio waves. However, the team estimates there's only about a 1% chance that was the cause.Although this turned out to be a human-made source, the discovery underscores a major challenge in space research: the interference of space junk with astronomical observations. With over 22,000 satellites launched since the dawn of the space age — and thousands no longer functional — Earth's orbit is becoming a crowded and unpredictable place.Signals like the one from Relay 2 could easily be mistaken for cosmic phenomena, especially as ground-based observatories like ASKAP and upcoming arrays such as SKA-Low (Square Kilometre Array) continue to scan the skies for fast, faint signals.While this unexpected 'zombie signal' turned out to be from a defunct satellite, it opens up new possibilities for using radio telescopes to monitor aging spacecraft for signs of unusual activity.
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Mint
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Astronomers receive powerful radio signal only 4,500 km away from Earth: Here's what they find next
In June 2024, astronomers in Australia detected a powerful radio signal that seemed to come from near Earth. At first, they thought it was a new space object. The signal was picked up by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope in Western Australia. It was so strong it outshone everything else in the sky for a moment. Researchers usually look for fast radio bursts: short, powerful signals from faraway galaxies, possibly caused by dense, magnetic remains of dead stars. However, this signal was different. When they focused the telescope, the short signal became extremely bright, around 2,000 to 3,000 times stronger than any other signals recorded. The team removed data from the outer antennas and used the central ones to study it better. It came from only 4,500 km away and matched the location of an old satellite called Relay 2. NASA launched Relay 2, a communication satellite, in 1964 to improve signals between the US and Europe and help broadcast the Tokyo Olympics. But, by 1967, it stopped working and became space junk. Though disappointed it wasn't from space, scientists were left wondering what exactly created such a strong signal. The incident raised new concerns about space junk in Earth's orbit. Scientists think the signal may have come from a sudden release of static electricity that built up on the satellite's metal surface. It is similar to when you rub your feet on a carpet and get a small electric shock. Another possible cause is a tiny micrometeorite hitting the satellite at very high speed, which could create a burst of hot gas (plasma) and send out a short radio wave. Although this second reason is less likely, it still shows how even dead satellites in space can sometimes give off unexpected signals after decades of silence. With growing numbers of old satellites, signals like this might become more common and may interfere with important space research in the future, Professor Clancy James told CNN.
Economic Times
30-06-2025
- Economic Times
Scientists thought they found a 'zombie' in space. Turns out, it was something even stranger
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In June last year, astronomers scanning the sky from the remote deserts of Western Australia picked up a sudden, blinding burst of radio energy. The signal was so powerful, it temporarily outshone every other radio source in the sky, according to a report of first, the team at Curtin University believed they had discovered something extraordinary — perhaps a new type of astronomical object or an ultra-rare fast radio burst (FRB) from within our galaxy.'We were really excited,' Dr. Clancy James, associate professor at Curtin's Institute of Radio Astronomy, told CNN. 'It looked like we had found an unknown object near Earth.'The data came from the ASKAP telescope , an advanced array of 36 large antennas spread across the Wajarri Yamaji Country in Western Australia. This setup is usually used to detect FRBs — intense, millisecond-long bursts of radio energy from distant galaxies, potentially caused by exotic phenomena like magnetars, the ultra-magnetic remains of dead bursts are not only puzzling but also powerful tools for mapping the "missing" matter in the universe. But this particular signal wasn't behaving like a normal typical FRBs that originate billions of light-years away, this burst appeared to be shockingly close — just 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) from Earth. When the team zoomed into the data, the image became blurry — a telltale sign the source was much closer than sifting through satellite databases, the astronomers matched the source to Relay 2, a long-defunct U.S. communications satellite launched in 1964. Relay 2 had been orbiting silently since its instruments failed in this sparked an even more bizarre question: Could a dead satellite suddenly burst back to life?The leading theory is an electrostatic discharge — a burst of energy caused by a buildup of electric charge on the satellite's surface, similar to the shock you get from touching a doorknob after walking on carpet. When the charge releases, it can emit a sharp flash of radio these discharges are common and often harmless, the intensity and brevity of this one — just 30 nanoseconds long — was unprecedented. In fact, it was 2,000 to 3,000 times brighter than any other signal the ASKAP instrument typically possibility, though less likely, is that a micrometeorite no larger than a grain of sand slammed into Relay 2 at extreme speed, causing a burst of plasma and radio waves. However, the team estimates there's only about a 1% chance that was the this turned out to be a human-made source, the discovery underscores a major challenge in space research: the interference of space junk with astronomical observations. With over 22,000 satellites launched since the dawn of the space age — and thousands no longer functional — Earth's orbit is becoming a crowded and unpredictable like the one from Relay 2 could easily be mistaken for cosmic phenomena, especially as ground-based observatories like ASKAP and upcoming arrays such as SKA-Low (Square Kilometre Array) continue to scan the skies for fast, faint this unexpected 'zombie signal' turned out to be from a defunct satellite, it opens up new possibilities for using radio telescopes to monitor aging spacecraft for signs of unusual activity.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Time of India
Scientists thought they found a 'zombie' in space. Turns out, it was something even stranger
Astronomers in Western Australia detected a powerful radio burst, initially mistaking it for a new astronomical object or a rare fast radio burst. The signal was traced back to Relay 2, a defunct U.S. communications satellite launched in 1964. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In June last year, astronomers scanning the sky from the remote deserts of Western Australia picked up a sudden, blinding burst of radio energy. The signal was so powerful, it temporarily outshone every other radio source in the sky, according to a report of first, the team at Curtin University believed they had discovered something extraordinary — perhaps a new type of astronomical object or an ultra-rare fast radio burst (FRB) from within our galaxy.'We were really excited,' Dr. Clancy James, associate professor at Curtin's Institute of Radio Astronomy, told CNN. 'It looked like we had found an unknown object near Earth.'The data came from the ASKAP telescope , an advanced array of 36 large antennas spread across the Wajarri Yamaji Country in Western Australia. This setup is usually used to detect FRBs — intense, millisecond-long bursts of radio energy from distant galaxies, potentially caused by exotic phenomena like magnetars, the ultra-magnetic remains of dead bursts are not only puzzling but also powerful tools for mapping the "missing" matter in the universe. But this particular signal wasn't behaving like a normal typical FRBs that originate billions of light-years away, this burst appeared to be shockingly close — just 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) from Earth. When the team zoomed into the data, the image became blurry — a telltale sign the source was much closer than sifting through satellite databases, the astronomers matched the source to Relay 2, a long-defunct U.S. communications satellite launched in 1964. Relay 2 had been orbiting silently since its instruments failed in this sparked an even more bizarre question: Could a dead satellite suddenly burst back to life?The leading theory is an electrostatic discharge — a burst of energy caused by a buildup of electric charge on the satellite's surface, similar to the shock you get from touching a doorknob after walking on carpet. When the charge releases, it can emit a sharp flash of radio these discharges are common and often harmless, the intensity and brevity of this one — just 30 nanoseconds long — was unprecedented. In fact, it was 2,000 to 3,000 times brighter than any other signal the ASKAP instrument typically possibility, though less likely, is that a micrometeorite no larger than a grain of sand slammed into Relay 2 at extreme speed, causing a burst of plasma and radio waves. However, the team estimates there's only about a 1% chance that was the this turned out to be a human-made source, the discovery underscores a major challenge in space research: the interference of space junk with astronomical observations. With over 22,000 satellites launched since the dawn of the space age — and thousands no longer functional — Earth's orbit is becoming a crowded and unpredictable like the one from Relay 2 could easily be mistaken for cosmic phenomena, especially as ground-based observatories like ASKAP and upcoming arrays such as SKA-Low (Square Kilometre Array) continue to scan the skies for fast, faint this unexpected 'zombie signal' turned out to be from a defunct satellite, it opens up new possibilities for using radio telescopes to monitor aging spacecraft for signs of unusual activity.
