Astronomers have recently discovered the source of a mysterious radio signal that repeats every two hours from deep space. This signal originates from a binary star system, located approximately 1,600 light-years away, consisting of a white dwarf and a red dwarf.
The system, designated ILTJ1101, emits radio bursts at intervals of 125.5 minutes, in the direction of the Big Dipper constellation. The periodic nature of the radio emissions challenges previous assumptions that such signals were unique to neutron stars.
Scientists have found that the magnetic fields of the white dwarf and red dwarf interact to produce these radio bursts. The synchronization of the red dwarf’s movement with the radio pulses provided crucial evidence of the binary star system’s structure.
This discovery opens new opportunities to study stellar evolution and magnetic interactions. Future research will delve into the system’s ultraviolet emissions to gain further insights into the stars’ temperatures and histories.