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Ancient Satellite Sends Out Powerful Radio Signal, Leaving Astronomers Baffled

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In June 2024, Australian astronomers detected a powerful radio signal that momentarily outshone everything else in the night sky, prompting investigations into its source and raising concerns about orbital debris. Initially, researchers believed they had found an unexplored astronomical object, but their analysis revealed the signal was emanating from approximately 4,500 kilometres away, pinpointing it to an old satellite, Relay 2, which had been defunct since 1967.

The team, led by Clancy James from Curtin University’s Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy, originally examined data from the ASKAP radio telescope, which consists of an array of 36 dish antennas. They typically search for fast radio bursts—brief flashes of energy from distant galaxies—but this signal was notable for its intensity and proximity, challenging their preconceptions about astronomical phenomena.

As they scrutinised the signal further, its clarity improved, leading them to conclude that it originated from within the vicinity of Earth. The blurry image captured suggested a signal from a nearby source, a mystery that deepened when they matched it to the old communications satellite, Relay 2, launched by NASA in 1964. Once its mission concluded, Relay 2 drifted in orbit, effectively becoming space junk.

The researchers considered two potential causes for the sudden burst of radio waves. The first hypothesis posits that a build-up of electrostatic charge on the satellite’s metallic surface may have triggered a discharge, similar to the static shock one experiences after walking on a carpet. Alternatively, a less likely scenario involves a micrometeorite impact creating a plasma burst capable of emitting radio waves.

James acknowledged the significance of this incident, illustrating the potential for satellites to complicate astronomical observations with their own signals. As a result, scientists will need to exercise greater caution when interpreting radio signals, particularly with the increasing number of satellites in orbit. Current estimates indicate that over 22,000 satellites have been launched since the start of the Space Age, with many now non-functional and contributing to a growing field of debris.

Experts not involved in the study, including Cornell University’s James Cordes and Ralph Spencer from the University of Manchester, commented on the plausibility of the researchers’ interpretations. They highlighted the importance of discerning between signals from cosmic sources and those originating from man-made objects. Plans for upcoming projects, such as the Square Kilometre Array Low Frequency Array (SKA-Low) in Australia, aim to further explore and clarify these phenomena, ensuring that future radio observations can distinguish effectively between celestial signals and interference posed by satellites.

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