* Astronomers detected an unusually strong fast radio burst (FRB) on June 13, 2024. Initially, they presumed this powerful, short-lived pulse, which eclipsed other celestial signals, originated from a distant cosmic source, as is typical for most FRBs.
* Subsequent analysis, however, revealed the signal’s true origin: Relay 2, a NASA communications satellite launched in 1964. This satellite had been inactive since its transponders stopped working in 1967, making its sudden emission particularly puzzling.
* Researchers theorize the burst wasn’t a satellite „resurrection.“ Instead, it was likely caused by an electrostatic charge building up and discharging on the craft, or possibly by a micrometeoroid impact creating a small plasma cloud.
Gwenbors on
I had really hoped it was a Nibblonian looking for their lost ship…
ah well, life is full of disappointments, I suppose.
Leave A Reply
Du musst angemeldet sein, um einen Kommentar abzugeben.
2Â Kommentare
# TLDR:
* Astronomers detected an unusually strong fast radio burst (FRB) on June 13, 2024. Initially, they presumed this powerful, short-lived pulse, which eclipsed other celestial signals, originated from a distant cosmic source, as is typical for most FRBs.
* Subsequent analysis, however, revealed the signal’s true origin: Relay 2, a NASA communications satellite launched in 1964. This satellite had been inactive since its transponders stopped working in 1967, making its sudden emission particularly puzzling.
* Researchers theorize the burst wasn’t a satellite „resurrection.“ Instead, it was likely caused by an electrostatic charge building up and discharging on the craft, or possibly by a micrometeoroid impact creating a small plasma cloud.
I had really hoped it was a Nibblonian looking for their lost ship…
ah well, life is full of disappointments, I suppose.