Astronomers say they have detected radio waves coming directly from a planet outside our solar system for the first time, a breakthrough that could give scientists a new way to study distant worlds.
The signal came from Beta Pictoris b, a massive gas giant located about 63 light-years from Earth. Scientists stressed that the radio waves are not evidence of intelligent extraterrestrial life, but instead appear to be produced by powerful auroras linked to the planet’s extraordinarily strong magnetic field.
Researchers using the MeerKAT radio telescope array in South Africa detected rapid, recurring and highly polarized radio bursts from the planet. Previous attempts had detected possible radio emissions in planetary systems, but scientists had been unable to establish whether the signals originated from a planet or its host star.
In this case, researchers were able to pinpoint the emission to Beta Pictoris b.
The radio waves are believed to be generated by auroral activity. Similar processes occur on Earth and other planets when charged particles interact with magnetic fields, producing auroras and radio emissions.
The observations indicate that Beta Pictoris b has a magnetic field of at least 1.25 kilogauss, thousands of times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field. Researchers say this represents the first direct measurement of the magnetic-field strength of an exoplanet.
Beta Pictoris b is several times more massive than Jupiter and orbits the young star Beta Pictoris. The planetary system is estimated to be only about 23 million years old, compared with the roughly 4.6-billion-year age of our solar system.
Scientists say detecting radio emissions from exoplanets could open a new method of studying their magnetic fields, interiors and atmospheres and how those planets interact with their stars.
The findings were posted on the arXiv preprint server and have not yet completed peer review.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Astronomers Detect First Radio Signal Directly From Planet Outside Solar System.