Overview

• The source of mysterious radio signals detected every two hours for over a decade has been identified near the Big Dipper constellation.
• The signals originate from a binary system comprising a red dwarf and a white dwarf star orbiting each other extremely closely, approximately 1,645 light-years from Earth.
• The interaction of their magnetic fields during each orbit generates the radio pulses, which differ from previously known fast radio bursts.
• This discovery marks the first time long-period radio transients have been traced to a binary star system rather than neutron stars or magnetars.
• Researchers plan further studies to analyze the properties of the binary stars and explore potential connections to other unexplained radio phenomena.