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A decades-dormant satellite emitted a strong radio pulse, briefly eclipsing all other celestial objects. Astronomers hypothesize the burst originated from a freak micrometeorite impact or an accidental electrical spark. This unexpected event highlights the potential for unexpected signals from space and the challenges of space observation. The incident also draws attention to the monitoring of space debris.
NASA’s Relay 2 Satellite Emits Mysterious Radio Burst
NASA’s Relay 2 satellite, an initial experimental communication device launched in 1964, had been defunct for decades. NASA ceased its usage the following year, and by 1967, the satellite’s electronics were entirely inoperable, leaving the inert metal shell orbiting Earth indefinitely.
Unexpected Detection Baffles Astronomers
Clancy James from Curtin University in Australia, along with his fellow researchers, were puzzled by the detection of a brief yet potent burst of radio frequencies seemingly coming from the satellite’s designated area, nearly 60 years later.
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Searching for Fast Radio Bursts
James and his team utilized the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), a network of 36 radio telescopes situated in Western Australia, to survey the sky for Fast Radio Bursts, enigmatic emissions originating from distant galaxies.
On June 13 of the previous year, they identified a signal that seemed to originate from within our own galaxy. “Being close, we were excited and prepared to easily study it using optical telescopes, thinking we had pinpointed a new pulsar or related object,” Clancy stated.
Signal Characteristics and Location
Upon further analysis, the signal’s proximity to Earth meant that ASKAP’s telescopes struggled to focus collectively on the source, much like a phone camera’s difficulty in focusing on nearby subjects. Clancy explained that this placed the origin within 20,000 kilometers of Earth. The signal was also ephemeral, lasting less than 30 nanoseconds. “The incredible electromagnetic pulse outshone everything else visually near it for a moment,” said Clancy.
Possible Explanations for the Radio Pulse
Comparing the signal’s point of origin with established satellite positions, the group found only one tangible explanation: the Relay 2 satellite. Understanding that the satellite is not functional, Clancy and his team have theorized that the signal stemmed from an outside origin, for example, an electrostatic discharge or a micrometeor hitting the satellite, in the process creating a charged plasma cloud.
Differentiating Between Scenarios
Karen Aplin at the University of Bristol, UK, noted that distinguishing between these scenarios would be exceedingly challenging, as the radio signal produced by either event would present similar characteristics. Aplin also suggested the value of future monitoring for electrostatic discharges, stating that “In a world where there is a lot of space debris and there are more small, low-cost satellites with limited protection from electrostatic discharges, this radio detection may ultimately offer a new technique to evaluate electrostatic discharges in space.”