Mysterious object continuously transmitting strange signals to Earth discovered

Astronomers have discovered a strange mysterious object in the universe, continuously emitting radio signals and X-rays regularly every 44 minutes. This is a phenomenon never recorded in modern astronomy.

Location of ASKAP J1832-0911, first discovered by the ASKAP (Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder) radio telescope in Australia - Photo: Ziteng (Andy) Wang, ICRAR

The mysterious object, named ASKAP J1832-0911, was first discovered by the ASKAP (Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder) radio telescope in Australia. According to the description in the study published in the journal Nature on May 28, this object emitted a series of signals lasting about 2 minutes, then completely silent for 42 minutes, then repeated the cycle.

This unique signal was also simultaneously confirmed by NASA's Chandra X-ray observatory, marking the first time in astronomical history that an object of this type has been discovered emitting both radio waves and X-rays at the same time.

"This object is completely different from anything we have ever seen before. Whether it is a strange star, or an unknown physical phenomenon, we cannot determine yet," said astronomer Andy Wang (Curtin University, Australia).

The team currently proposes two hypotheses that could explain ASKAP J1832-0911's strange behavior: It could be a magnetar, the super-dense core of a dead star that possesses an extremely strong magnetic field; or it could be a binary star system, in which a white dwarf has an unusually high magnetization.

However, neither hypothesis fully explains the signals emitted by the object. "This discovery may reveal a new physical model, or a stage of stellar evolution that we have not recorded before," Wang said.

ASKAP J1832-0911 falls into the category of Long-Period Transients (LPTs), extremely rare astronomical objects that emit signals that occur every few minutes to hours. Unlike traditional pulsars, which typically emit signals every few seconds or milliseconds, LPTs “sleep” for long periods of time before pulsing again.

Since 2022, astronomers have only recorded about 10 LPT objects, and most of them remain unknown.

The fact that ASKAP J1832-0911 emits both radio waves and X-rays at the same time makes the phenomenon even more difficult to explain. Any future theory will need to account for both types of radiation simultaneously, something that is impossible in current physical models.

Researchers say the discovery of an X-ray-emitting LPT object suggests there may be more similar objects "lurking" in space.

“If we’ve found one, there are probably more out there,” said Nanda Rea of ​​the Catalan Institute for Space Studies in Spain. “The fact that it emits X-rays opens a whole new window to the true nature of these mysterious sources.”

Astronomers are now calling for increased use of parallel telescopes at different wavelengths, especially radio and X-ray combinations, to search for more similar objects.

This discovery not only adds to the astronomical map, but could also lead to groundbreaking discoveries about the structure of the universe, dark matter, or even new laws of physics.

MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phat-hien-vat-the-bi-an-lien-tuc-phat-tin-hieu-la-den-trai-dat-20250529104325916.htm