It’s probably not a countdown
WTF?
Not only does it repeat every hour, but it also cycles through three different states.
“The MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa played a crucial role in distinguishing between these states.
before you jump in prepping that bunker, the signal is unlikely to have Independence Day-style alien origins.
“It is highly unusual to discover a neutron star candidate emitting radio pulsations in this way.
The fact that the signal is repeating at such a leisurely pace is extraordinary,” Caleb added.
Neutron stars' powerful magnetic fields send streams of particles into space.
Pulsars' rotations cause the streams to rotate, creating what comes off as a repeating signal.
The researchers say this provides new insights into the complex life cycles of stellar objects.
