'Signals every 2.9 hours': Rare binary star system emits baffling pulses
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Mystery Signals
Unusual radio waves, emitting 30-60 second pulses every 2.9 hours, were detected 5,000 light-years away, baffling astronomers.
Unusual Pulses
Astronomers discovered three sources of these long-period transients, including GLEAM-X J0704-37, each emitting flashes far slower than traditional pulsars.
Rare Discovery
A red dwarf star, paired with a white dwarf, was identified as the source of GLEAM-X J0704-37 using data from the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa.
Binary System
This system likely includes a red dwarf 0.32 times the Sun's mass and a white dwarf 0.8 times its mass, emitting beams of radio waves.
Unique Behavior
Unlike normal pulsars, which emit millisecond pulses, this system produces unusually slow emissions, challenging existing astrophysical models.
White Dwarf
The ultra-dense core of a dead star, the white dwarf likely siphons material from the red dwarf, powering the radio signals.
Galactic Puzzle
The discovery adds to an enigmatic group of stars emitting long-period signals, raising questions about their frequency in the Milky Way.
Next Steps
Researchers plan further studies using radio and ultraviolet telescopes to confirm the white dwarf’s role and better understand the binary’s dynamics.
Rare Pulsar
If verified, GLEAM-X J0704-37 could become one of the rarest pulsars in the galaxy—a white dwarf pulsar powered by an extraordinary binary mechanism.