A signal from beyond: Astronomers detect radio waves from planet 63 light-years away for first time
Astronomers have detected radio waves from the exoplanet Beta Pictoris b, located 63 light-years away, marking the first time such a signal has been observed from a planet outside our solar system. The signal is caused by powerful magnetic fields creating auroras, rather than intelligent life.
Why it matters
This discovery provides new insights into the magnetic environments of gas giants and helps scientists better understand planetary formation and atmospheric protection.
A mysterious radio signal from deep space has astronomers asking a big question: is someone out there trying to say hello?The answer, however, is far less sci-fi and much more magnetic.Astronomers have detected radio emission directly from an exoplanet for the first time, with the signal from Beta Pictoris b pointing to an exceptionally powerful magnetic field, not intelligent life.“I know radio signals are associated with searches for extraterrestrial intelligence,” said Edo Berger, a professor of astronomy at Harvard University. “But this is something very different,” the expert told CNN.So where is the signal coming from?The repeating bursts appear to originate from Beta Pictoris b, a gas giant 63 light-years from Earth and roughly 12 times the mass of Jupiter.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in