Mysterious radio signals from space turned out to be interference from the microwave


    Photo: Stephen West

    Modern radio telescopes used by astronomers to study space are so accurate and sensitive that they can pick up the smallest signals. Moreover, as it turned out, such signals can come not only from space objects located thousands of light years from Earth. Terrestrial instruments, in particular, microwave ovens, can also be a source of such signals.

    Scientists working with Australia’s largest Parks radio telescope have received strange signals for about 17 years, about once or twice a year. And for the first time such signals, called "peritons", were received in 1998. To the credit of scientists, it must be said that almost immediately an assumption was made about the terrestrial origin of the “peritons”. The fact is that the signals did not come from a certain part of space, but came from everywhere immediately, from all over the sky. Scientists decided that the source of the signal was some atmospheric phenomena (possibly lightning). It turned out that the reason is even more commonplace.


    Photo: Ian Waldie / Getty Images Microwave turned out to be a

    source of mysterious signalsinstalled in the utility room. There were no signals during microwave operation. But if you open the door before the microwave is finished, then interference is generated. Why were signals received only once or twice a year, and in the daytime (for Australia) time of day?

    Everything is explained simply. The fact is that the telescope is controlled remotely, astronomers working with the system do not live in Parks. However, the observatory employs technicians who service the entire system, and these people use a microwave. Signals were received only if the radio telescope was directed toward the microwave oven, and the operation time of the oven (and premature opening of the door) coincided with this mode of operation of the system.

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