Alien-hunting scientists reveal origin of mystery space pulse after year-long probe into surprising ‘distant object'
And it's not quite an alien civilisation trying to contact Earth, according to a new
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.
READ MORE ON SPACE
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.
Most read in Science
It stopped working less than a year after launch, becoming another hunk of
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.
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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
What is space debris?
Space debris is an umbrella term for any bit of junk, disused equipment and otherwise, that is currently stuck in Earth's orbit.
And it has spiralled into a big problem since the dawn of the space age in the 1950s.
There are nearly 30,000 objects bigger than a softball hurtling a few hundred miles above Earth, ten times faster than a bullet.
It poses huge risks to satellites and the International Space Station (ISS), where crew occasionally have to maneuver out of the way of objects hurtling towards them.
In 2016, a fleck of paint managed to chip a window in the ISS because it was moving at such high speeds in Earth's orbit.
The problem is, it's not just a space issue - but Earth's too.
Objects in space undergo a process called orbital decay, which means they orbit closer to Earth as time goes on.
Debris left in orbits below 600km normally fall back to Earth within several years.
While most space debris burns up on reentry to Earth's atmosphere - there are some bits that don't.
This is particularly the case with larger objects, like the EP-9 pallet.
A report by US watchdog, the Federal Aviation Authority, published last year warned that space debris that survived the fiery reentry could kill or injure someone on Earth every two years by 2035.
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The Irish Sun
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Irish Examiner
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Back in the ozone: How we plugged the hole in the sky
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Eight easy ways to get your kids into astronomy including best apps & budget gear to combat summer holiday boredom
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Try to time your stargazing session so it takes place in the days before, during or just after a new moon. At this time, you should be able to see thousands of stars with only your eyes. If you do have use of a telescope, this is also the best time to see galaxies and star clusters. 5 Try to time your stargazing session so it takes place in the days before, during or just after a new moon Credit: Getty You might even get lucky and see the Milky Way arching across the sky, depending on the month of the year and time of night. Natural moonlight washes out the light from most stars so during a full moon is the worst time to stargaze, as fewer are visible. PRECISE PEEPERS: There's no need for flashy kit. Depending on the amount of light pollution, you could see up to 3,000 stars from a dark-sky location with no equipment at all. But a set of budget binoculars will let you see far more. A basic pair, magnifying 10x50, is ideal for beginners and children, and are widely available from around £30 in many high street stores. If you decide to invest further, specialist supplier has great advice and affordable beginner telescopes. 5 Argos has reported sales of telescopes and binoculars up 1,380 per cent year-on-year Credit: Getty To stabilise your eyes, fix a pair of binoculars to a tripod or rest them on a garden fence or wall. PLAN IT: Dress appropriately — even in a heatwave it can get cold at night. A chair to perch on is useful too, and in a pitch-black area, it is advisable to take along a rechargeable torch. Try to use a red beam, as white light can affect how well your eyes focus once looking upwards. Red bike lights make great stargazing torches, as they don't affect 'dark-adjusted' eyes. Leave your phone in your pocket, too, or put a red filter on it. If you do need to use white light for any reason, be mindful of other stargazers. And always stay safe. Tell someone where you are going and don't forget to take drinks and snacks. ASTRONOMERS APPS: Your smartphone or tablet is a super source of star charts for spotting constellations and learning your way around the night sky. Check out resources such as Star Walk, Star Tracker and Sky Safari in your app store. 5 Sign up to a stargazing app Credit: Supplied Some even present a real-time view of the night sky using GPS, a compass and built-in inclinometer to give details about the object your phone is pointed at. Just remember to look away from your phone and up to the stars. Or opt for a traditional printed star-chart instead. Be patient, as your eyes settle, you will start to see more stars. JOIN A GROUP: Getting together with other people is a great way to start off, and helps make it more affordable. Most of the local astronomy groups and observatories in the UK hold events or observing sessions, which you can attend for free or for a few pounds. TIPS FOR WATCHING METEOR SHOWERS Avoid light pollution - Stargazers should head to a location well away the city lights, the glow of a town, and even that of street lamps - Stargazers should head to a location well away the city lights, the glow of a town, and even that of street lamps Put the phone away - You should give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so you can see the fainter meteors - You should give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the dark so you can see the fainter meteors Unobstructed view - Make sure that your star gazing spot has an unobstructed view of the horizon and above, away from treelines or cityscapes is best Stargazing societies welcome everyone — including complete beginners. As well as being a way to learn more, it can also give you access to some hi-tech kit that would be too expensive to buy yourself. Some astronomy groups will even lend telescopes to members. SHAPE SHIFTERS: Swot up on famous constellations and use your star chart or app to find them. Officially, these are the 88 recognised patterns that help astronomers divide the sky into sections, but you will also see smaller patterned shapes known as asterisms. Good ones to seek out are the famous Plough, the lion- shaped Leo and Ursa Major, which resembles a bear. Remember, not all constellations can be seen year-round. Shooting stars are the perfect starting point and they are happening now until August 23 You will not find Orion, the skyward hunter, in the summertime in the UK as he is only visible in winter. With practice, you will soon start to spot planets such as Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, as stars will twinkle but planets won't. SHOOTING STARS: For some added excitement, note dates of meteor showers in UK skies. These atmospheric firework displays take place at the same time annually, and are best seen with the naked eye and in groups. They are perfect starting points for beginners, young stargazers and families. You may see small streaks of shooting space dust or more dramatic colourful bursts. The names of meteor showers are based on the constellation where they appear to radiate from. Clubs and societies often arrange meteor shower meets or even Stay And Gaze events. Now, until August 23 a shower known as Perseids is taking place. Perfect timing for the holidays!
