Kamal Ghorui
Astronomers identified a strange object in the Milky Way that sends out powerful bursts of radio waves and X-rays with steady timing. The source, known as ASKAP J1832 0911, repeats its signals every 44 minutes, a rhythm unlike anything commonly observed before. What makes the finding stand out is not just the regularity, but the combination of energy involved. Data were collected from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope in Australia, and were later combined by a team of astronomers.
ASKAP J1832 0911 emits radio waves and X-rays every 44 minutes
ASKAP J1832 0911 lies well inside the Milky Way, far from the Solar System but not near the galaxy’s edge. The distance places it among regions already rich with stars, gas, and remnants of earlier cosmic events. Despite this crowded background, the source stands out because of its repeated, intense flashes that cut through the surrounding noise.
ASKAP J1832 0911 emits radio waves and X-rays every 44 minutes (Image Source – NASA)
A long-period transient behaving differently
The object belongs to a rare group known as long-period radio transients. These sources were only identified a few years ago and are defined by radio pulses that repeat over tens of minutes. In contrast, pulsars can spin and pulse several times each second. ASKAP J1832 0911 fits the timing of long-period transients, but its energy output sets it apart.
X-rays appear alongside radio bursts
Using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, researchers detected X-ray emissions that rise and fall on the same 44-minute cycle as the radio signals. This pairing has not been seen before in this class of object. The link suggests a shared underlying process, though what drives it remains uncertain.
Observations combined from two major telescopes
The discovery came from combining data from the ASKAP radio telescope in Australia and the Chandra X-ray Observatory in space. Together, they provided a clearer view than either could alone. The work was led by scientists at the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, who say the object challenges current models.
The finding leaves more questions than answers
ASKAP J1832 0911 does not yet have a clear explanation. It may be an unusual neutron star, a magnetised remnant, or something not yet fully described. For now, it sits quietly in the galaxy, repeating its signals, offering clues without resolution.
