For the past 35 years, a series of rare radio signals from deep space, specifically from an object named GPM J1839–10, have consistently reached Earth every 22 minutes. This discovery, recently reported in Nature magazine, challenges current astrophysical understanding, as the object was previously thought to be a fleeting transient phenomenon.
Initially identified during research on temporary space events like supernovae and asteroid flares, GPM J1839–10 exhibited unusual behaviors by appearing twice on the same night, prompting further investigation. Unlike typical transient objects, it emitted a weak, prolonged radio burst lasting between 30 and 300 seconds and displayed complex patterns with multiple sub-bursts.
Historical data revealed that similar signals had been detectable since 1988, suggesting this was not a newly discovered phenomenon. The leading theory proposed GPM J1839–10 as a pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star, but its 22-minute cycle contradicts known pulsar behavior, prompting further speculation.
Other possible explanations included magnetars—neutron stars with extreme magnetic fields—but GPM J1839–10 did not emit the usual high-energy radiation associated with these objects. White dwarfs, another potential candidate, also do not match the signal’s characteristics, leading scientists to consider the possibility that GPM J1839–10 may represent a new class of astronomical phenomena, previously undetected due to observational constraints.
Further study of this signal poses significant challenges, requiring extensive observation time and advanced radio telescopes to clarify the mechanisms behind these enigmatic emissions.
