Scientists claimed that they have discovered that the first radio signal from a planet outside the solar system. The astronomers used a radio telescope in the Netherlands.
They used the telescope to study and observe three different stars known to host exoplanets. According to Space.Com's latest report, the astronomers compared their findings to their observations in Jupiter.
The scientists found out that the signal seems to be coming from a star system dozens of light-years away from the Earth's solar system. Involved researchers claimed that the new discovery could help other astronomers understand other planets outside the solar system.
What the researchers found out
At first, the scientists thought that the radio signal was coming from the constellation Bootes, which is located in the northern sky. However, they recently suggested that the signal could be coming from an exoplanet.
"We present one of the first hints of detecting an exoplanet in the radio realm," said Jake D. Turner, a postdoctoral scientist at Cornell, via the Independent UK.
"The signal is from the Tau Boötes system, which contains a binary star and an exoplanet. We make the case for emission by the planet itself," the lead researcher added.
Turner also explained that the radio signal could be compatible with theoretical predictions based on its polarization and strength.
Experts said further research must be conducted
Although the scientists provided strong evidence, researchers explained that further study must be done to confirm if it really came from another exoplanet. However, if the claim is true, the discovery could provide new ways to understand other planets outside the solar system, many light-years away. Since the astronomers were able to examine radio signals from distant planets, they could also use them to observe other magnetic fields. This will allow them to identify the exoplanet's atmosphere and interior part.
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
