- A team of scientists believes they may have detected the radio emission from a distant exoplanet, which would be the first.
- The planet is about 51 light-years away, and while there is still some debate about whether the signal comes from the planet or the orbiting binary star, the data seem to indicate that the planet is “talking.”
- If confirmed, this could be a big step toward examining the exoplanets in our neighborhood in more detail than ever before.
Looking into space with optical or infrared telescopes can teach us a lot about what is in the depths of the cosmos, but sometimes it’s just the same as listening. In the case of the system called Tau Boötes, it looks like something is sending a radio signal into space, and in what might be the first for astronomy, scientists think they know what it is.
In a new article published in the journal Astronomy and astrophysics, researchers led by Cornell University suggest that the radio signal they hear actually comes from a massive exoplanet that hangs near the binary star that hosts it. If this is confirmed, it will be the first time scientists will be able to detect a radio signature of an exoplanet and it could help unlock secrets about other planets outside our solar system.
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The paper focuses on the exoplanet about 51 light-years from Earth, but the research was made possible by work that began right here on our own solar system. The team first studied Jupiter’s radio broadcasts, helping them paint a picture of what the radio signal of a similar planet might look like if viewed from a much greater distance. Using this information, they turned their attention to the Tau Boötes system and found what they were looking for.
“We present one of the first tips for detecting an exoplanet in the realm of radio,” Jake D. Turner, lead author of the play, said in a statement. “The signal comes from the Tau Boötes system, which contains a binary star and an exoplanet. We defend the emission of the planet itself. Based on the strength and polarization of the planet’s radio signal and magnetic field, it is compatible with theoretical predictions. “
Now, before dreaming of an alien race emitting radio signals into space, this is not at all what these findings indicate. The planet’s radio signature is actually a potential byproduct of its magnetic field and the energy of its host star (or, in this case, the stars). However, if this radio signature is proof that the planet has a robust magnetic field, scientists believe it is an important prerequisite in the search for life, as the Earth’s magnetic field allowed life to rooted here and protect our atmosphere from the degradation of the solar wind.
More work needs to be done to confirm the findings, but it’s a pretty exciting development in its own right.
Mike Wehner has reported on technology and video games over the past decade, covering breaking news and trends in VR, portable devices, smartphones and future technology. Most recently, Mike worked as a technical editor at The Daily Dot and has appeared on USA Today, Time.com and countless other web and print outlets. His love of reporting is only second to his addiction to games.