Astronomers have detected a strange and persistent “heartbeat” radio signal coming from a far-off galaxy.

It has been classified as a fast radio burst (FRB), but where such signals are normally intensely strong emissions of radio waves of unknown origin – that typically last a few milliseconds at most – this one is different.

The new signal – which appears to flash in a pattern similar to a beating heart – runs for up to three seconds, about 1,000 times longer than an average FRB.

News of the discovery emerges in the same week that incredible images of a dying star and a ‘cosmic dance’ were revealed in an extraordinary set of NASA photos.

The team detected bursts of radio waves that repeat every 0.2 seconds within this window, in a clear periodic pattern.

Researchers say there are very few things in the universe known to emit these strictly periodic signals.

Daniele Michilli, a postdoc at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, explained: “Examples that we know of in our own galaxy are radio pulsars and magnetars, which rotate and produce a beamed emission similar to a lighthouse.

A dying star and a ‘cosmic dance’: Ancient galaxies revealed in never-seen-before telescope pictures

NASA reveals picture of distant universe taken by James Webb Space Telescope – but why is it a big deal?

Astronauts suffer ‘significant’ bone loss during space missions – raising concerns for future trips to Mars

“And we think this new signal could be a magnetar or pulsar on steroids.”

Read more:
Joe Biden discusses NASA’s stunning new images taken with the James Webb Space Telescope
Two fascinating pictures of the gas giant Jupiter have been leaked
Analysis: Why is the first picture from the world’s most advanced telescope such a big deal?

Radio pulsars and magnetars are types of neutron star – extremely dense, rapidly spinning collapsed cores of giant stars.

Called FRB 20191221A, the signal is currently the longest-lasting FRB, with the clearest periodic pattern, detected to date.

Its source lies in a distant galaxy, several billion light-years from Earth.

The team hopes to detect more periodic signals from this source, which could then be used as an astrophysical clock.

Related posts:

Psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms ‘promising’ for treating depression Emergency alerts for terror attacks, floods and other disasters to be sent directly to your phone Pfizer jab can now be stored in a fridge for one month, regulator says Cancelled launch won’t dampen hype around China’s ambitious plans for new space race Online games branded ‘spiritual opium’ and ‘electronic drugs’ by Chinese state media Firefly rocket explodes moments after first launch Facebook apologises after algorithm puts ‘primates’ label on video of black men Donald Trump says new social media company has raised $1bn Giant ‘sea dragon’ skeleton is one of UK’s ‘greatest’ dinosaur-era finds, experts say Two new drugs to tackle superbugs that ‘will save many lives’ on verge of being available to NHS patients Google sued for using the NHS data of 1.6 million Brits ‘without their knowledge or consent’ Scientists develop tool to identify patients most at risk of COVID death