An experimental NASA’s satellite launched in 1964 to space is intriguing astronomers in Australia after the emission of unknown signals noted in mid -June very close to Earth.
At first, scientists did not know the origin of the phenomenon, but later identified that it could be the Askap radiotlescope, consisting of 36 satellite antennas, which was disabled for decades.
Clacy James, associate professor at the Curtin Radiostronomy Institute of Curtin University in Western Australia, told the CNN that the mysterious signs were captured a few thousand kilometers from the planet.
“We found that it came from about 4,500 kilometers away. And we got a very exact correspondence for this old satellite called Relay 2 – there are databases that you can consult to find out where a particular satellite should be, and there were no other satellites nearby,” he explained.
Relay 2 was launched in 1964 with the goal of relaying signals to the United States and Europe of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, a sporting event that took place that year. Three years later, for its purpose completed, the satellite was considered space waste and since then orbits aimlessly in space.
The unknown signs linked to Relay 2, however, have intrigued astronomers, as it has been deactivated for decades. For now, researchers work with two hypotheses that may explain the phenomenon.
The main one, according to James, is that there was probably an accumulation of static electricity on the metal surface of the satellite, which was suddenly released.
“You start with an accumulation of electrons on the surface of the spacecraft. The ship begins to load due to the accumulation of electron. And continues to load until there is sufficient charge to cause a short circuit to some component of the ship, and then a sudden spark appears. It is exactly the same phenomena as when you rub your feet in the carpet and then cause a spark on your friend with finger.
Another less likely hypothesis is that the signs were emitted after collision with a micrometeorite to a few thousand kilometers from Earth. “A micrometeorite impacting a spacecraft (while) travels 20 kilometers per second or more basically will transform the (resulting) debris of plasma impact – an incredibly hot and dense gas. And this plasma can emit a short explosion of radio waves,” he said.
According to the teacher, these electrostatic discharges can be quite common and are not dangerous to humans. “However, they can damage a spacecraft,” he added.
