Astronomers have uncovered a cosmic oddity—an unusual star pulsing in a way never seen before. The newly studied object, ASKAP J1832−0911 (ASKAP J1832), has bewildered scientists by exhibiting synchronized radio and X-ray variations, defying previous expectations about long-period radio transients.
Using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope located in Wajarri Country in Australia, the research team analyzed ASKAP J1832’s peculiar behavior. This strange celestial body belongs to a rare class of objects known as long-period radio transients, which were first identified in 2022.
Unlike pulsars—rapidly spinning neutron stars that flash multiple times per second—ASKAP J1832 pulses steadily every 44 minutes.
What makes ASKAP J1832 so remarkable is that, for the first time, scientists have detected X-ray pulses occurring at the same interval as its radio variations. This unexpected discovery suggests the object has an intense and complex magnetic field capable of generating high-energy radiation in ways previously unseen.
“We’re looking at a truly unique cosmic phenomenon,” said one of the lead researchers. “These synchronized pulses challenge our understanding of how neutron stars behave and hint at unexplored physics behind their emissions.”
ASKAP J1832’s extreme behavior is fueling speculation about its true nature. Some astronomers suspect it might be a highly magnetized neutron star known as a magnetar, while others believe it could represent an entirely new type of stellar remnant. Continued observations with advanced telescopes may provide answers in the coming years, potentially rewriting what we know about how stars evolve and die.
For now, ASKAP J1832 remains an astronomical puzzle, blinking steadily in the depths of space as researchers rush to decode its secrets.
