By observing the universe in all its forms, we can discover many types of electromagnetic signals and radio waves. The frequency and energy of the signals can be used to identify the type of object or phenomenon behind them, as in the case of neutron stars, which rotate on themselves at around ten revolutions per second, up to 726 revolutions per second for PSR J1748-2446ad.
Recently, a group of astronomers made a discovery published in the journal Natureof a new object using data from the ASKAP radio telescope, named ASKAP J1832-0911. It emits pulses of radio waves and rays at a regular frequency of 44 minutes. Located 16,000 light-years away, it could be any object, given its emission in several bands of the electromagnetic spectrum and its unusual periodicity.
Radio and X-ray observations of the ASKAP object. (Image source: Wang et al. 2025)
However, because of the long delay between each pulse, astronomers decided to classify it as an LPT (Long-Period Transients) that had already been detected in the past. But, comparing it with data from the same region observed by NASA's Chandra telescope, they noticed that this same region emitted X-rays with the same 44-minute periodicity as that observed in radio waves by the ASKAP radio telescope.
In other words, classifying it as such is not viable, as no other known LPT offers such a pulse frequency. So, this discovery could prompt scientists and astronomers to open up new perspectives on the nature of LPTs. And although there are a few theories, such as magnetars, white dwarfs or binary systems, none of them seems credible or fits this mysterious object.
As a result, it seems likely that astronomers have discovered a new category of celestial object, or a new phenomenon that has never been observed before. We'll have to wait for further research, using competent equipment, before we can determine which object it is, and perhaps redefine a category of its own that could turn the world of astronomy upside down.
Alexis Stegmann - Tech Writer - 117 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
I've been working in the field of web writing for several years, and I'm passionate about keeping readers up to date with the latest news on astronomy, technology, the world of video games and other exciting subjects. In particular, I've had the opportunity to work on a number of websites, which has enabled me to cover a wide range of subjects. In my personal life, I'm passionate about a wide range of subjects, including astronomy, video games, history and science. I'm also drawn to psychology, which is a subject that deserves greater documentation and recognition.