A new study reveals that SpaceX’s latest generation of Starlink satellites are emitting even more disruptive radiation into space than their predecessors, potentially hindering our ability to study the cosmos. The increasing number of satellites and their interference with radio telescopes raises concerns about the future of astronomical research.
A recent search for extraterrestrial signals using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Australia, focused on 1,317 galaxies in the constellation Vela, yielded no detections. However, the study provides valuable constraints on the power of potential alien transmitters, suggesting that any civilization capable of sending signals strong enough for us to detect would need to harness the power of a star or multiple stars. This null detection further emphasizes the vastness of the search space and the need for continued exploration across a wide range of frequencies.
A newly discovered ring of radio light, dubbed Kýklos, defies expectations and challenges existing explanations for similar celestial phenomena. Unlike other ‘odd radio circles’ (ORCs), Kýklos is situated within the Milky Way, prompting astronomers to speculate about its origin. While a Wolf-Rayet star, a massive star shedding its outer layers, appears to be the most likely explanation, further observation with the James Webb Space Telescope is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
