Astronomers discover strange new celestial object in our Milky Way galaxy
Share this @internewscast.com

Astronomers have discovered a strange new object in our Milky Way galaxy.

An international team revealed on Wednesday that a mysterious celestial object, which could be a star, a pair of stars, or something unknown, is simultaneously emitting X-rays and radio waves. This phenomenon occurs in a cycle that repeats every 44 minutes, especially during intense activity periods.

This object is situated 15,000 light-years away within the Milky Way, in a region abundant with stars, gas, and dust. According to Ziteng Andy Wang of Curtin University, it might be a highly magnetized, dead star like a neutron star or white dwarf.

This image provided by NASA shows X-rays from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory (represented in blue) that have been combined with infrared data from NASA's retired Spitzer Space Telescope (cyan, light blue, teal and orange), and radio from MeerKat (red).

A celestial object—potentially a star, a duo of stars, or another unknown entity—is producing X-rays while also discharging radio waves around the same time.

NASA/Chandra/Spitzer/MeerKat via AP

Or it could be “something exotic” and unknown, said Wang, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature.

NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory spotted the X-ray emissions by chance last year while focusing on a supernova remnant, or the remains of an exploded star. Wang said it was the first time X-rays had been seen coming from a so-called long-period radio transient, a rare object that cycles through radio signals over tens of minutes.

Given the uncertain distance, astronomers can’t tell if the weird object is associated with the supernova remnant or not. A single light-year is 5.8 trillion miles.

The hyperactive phase of this object – designated ASKAP J1832091 – appeared to last about a month. Outside of that period, the star did not emit any noticeable X-rays. That could mean more of these objects may be out there, scientists said.

“While our discovery doesn’t yet solve the mystery of what these objects are and may even deepen it, studying them brings us closer to two possibilities,” Wang said. “Either we are uncovering something entirely new, or we’re seeing a known type of object emitting radio and X-ray waves in a way we’ve never observed before.”

Launched in 1999, Chandra orbits tens of thousands of miles (kilometers) above Earth, observing some of the hottest, high-energy objects in the universe.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Federal judge orders Mexican migrant seeking asylum to be released by ICE

U.S. Judge Mandates ICE to Release Mexican Asylum Seeker

A federal judge in Oregon has mandated the immediate release of a…
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un shaking hands.

North Korea Proposes Sending 30,000 Additional Troops to Support Putin’s War After Kim Jong-un Mourns Fallen Soldiers

NORTH Korea is reportedly planning to send 30,000 more troops to fight alongside…
DHS: Assaults on ICE now up nearly 700% over same time last year

DHS Reports: Attacks on ICE Increase Almost Sevenfold Compared to Last Year

The Department of Homeland Security informed Fox News that attacks on U.S.…
New Yorker Brian Tarrence goes missing while on romantic vacation in Turks and Caicos with wife

New Yorker Brian Tarrence disappears during romantic getaway in Turks and Caicos with his wife

A Manhattan man has vanished in Turks and Caicos after he bizarrely…
Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial but is told to keep deliberating

Jury Decides on 4 of 5 Charges in Diddy Trial; Instructed to Continue Deliberations

NEW YORK (AP) — In Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial, the…
'Project Runway' Season 20 returns July 31 with Heidi Klum, Law Roach & 12 designers competing

‘Project Runway’ Season 20: Heidi Klum, Law Roach, and 12 Designers Set to Compete on July 31

The fashion competition returns with Heidi Klum, Law Roach, and more of…
Trump praises Mayor Adams' re-election bid — and threatens Zohran Mamdani with arrest if he interferes with ICE

Trump Applauds Mayor Adams’ Re-Election Campaign and Warns Zohran Mamdani Against Obstructing ICE

President Donald Trump expressed approval for New York City Mayor Eric Adams’…
Barry Morphew to appear in court after grand jury indictment charging him with wife's murder

Barry Morphew Scheduled for Court Appearance Following Indictment by Grand Jury for Wife’s Murder

Barry Morphew is scheduled for a court appearance for his initial hearing…
Protesters clashing with riot police in Istanbul.

Terrifying Incident: Masses Invade Turkish Magazine Mistakenly Thought to Feature a Forbidden Prophet Image, Leading to Staff Arrests

THIS is the horrifying moment angry protestors storm a Turkish magazine accused…
Zohran's race-based tax plan: Letters

Letters Regarding Zohran’s Tax Plan Based on Race

The Issue: Zohran Mamdani’s plan to raise property taxes in “richer, whiter…
Aurora, IL Mayor John Laesch under fire after social media post seeming to encourage residents to set off fireworks in city

Aurora, IL Mayor John Laesch Criticized for Social Media Post Appearing to Urge Residents to Ignite Fireworks Locally

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) — A social media post by Aurora’s mayor is…
Broken pieces of dark chocolate on a dark surface.

Chocolate from major Walmart competitor recalled in 8 U.S. states due to undeclared, potentially dangerous ingredient.

SHOPPERS have been urged to check their pantries after a box of…