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yesterday

New Celestial Object Pulses X-Rays and Radio Waves Every 44 Minutes

Follow-up observations six months after discovery showed its radio pulses weaken 1,000-fold with X-ray emission disappearing

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A composite of radio, X-ray, and infrared emission of the field of ASKAP J1832-0911. Image credit: Wang et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09077-w.

Overview

  • ASKAP J1832-0911 emits simultaneous X-ray and radio bursts lasting roughly two minutes every 44 minutes, a pacing unmatched by known pulsars.
  • Initial Chandra and ASKAP measurements in February 2024 recorded strong emissions in both wavelengths, marking the first such dual detection among long-period transients.
  • An August 2024 follow-up found the radio signal dimmed by a factor of 1,000 and X-rays vanished, deepening the puzzle over its changing behavior.
  • The source is located about 15,000 light-years away in the Milky Way’s Scutum constellation, appearing behind the shell of a supernova remnant.
  • Researchers are weighing explanations ranging from magnetars to white dwarf binaries but emphasize that additional observations will be needed to pinpoint its nature.