INTRODUCTION
- The researchers created a model to explore the science underlying the auroras on Jupiter, the solar system’s largest planet, by examining the interaction of the magnetic field with the solar wind that occurs between Jupiter and its Moon Lo. These auroras have been discovered to be far more powerful than those seen on Earth.
- The scientists increased the size of their model to detect radio waves from faraway stars. The model for detecting radio radiation from distant stars is essentially a scaled-up version of Jupiter and its moon Lo. Magnetic interactions approximately lightyears distant have been discovered using the model, indicating the presence of stars and unseen planets circling them.
- However, astronomer Dr. Benjamin Pope remarked that while we cannot be positive that the four stars suspected of hosting planets are in fact planet hosts, we can be certain that a planet-star interaction is the most likely explanation for the radio emissions detected by Earth from a distant star.
BENEFIT OF THE DISCOVERY –
- The finding of the first radio signals from a planet outside of our Solar System is a significant achievement for radio astronomy, since it may help in the discovery of planets throughout the galaxy. The astronomers are looking forward to launch the Square Kilometre Away radio telescope in the year 2029, to overtake LOFAR as the world’s biggest radio telescope and allow astronomers to see hundreds of important stars at greater distances. The telescope is currently being built.
LOFAR –
- The Low-Frequency Array, or LOFAR, is the world’s biggest radio telescope, operating at the lowest frequencies that can be seen from Earth. LOFAR is a multi-purpose sensor network with cutting-edge computing and networking capabilities.
- ASTRON in the Netherlands developed and built the LOFAR spacecraft. It is a distributed research infrastructure that enables world-class radio astronomical research and allows astronomers to study the formation of stars and galaxies, examine the low-frequency radio sky, and detect radio emissions from energetic explosions in the universe over billions of years known as the Dark Ages.
