An Ongoing Cosmic Enigma

For an astonishing 35 years, a peculiar radio signal has been making its way to Earth, emerging every 22 minutes like clockwork. This phenomenon, dubbed GPM J1839–10, has baffled scientists ever since its recent discovery. Hidden in plain sight within archived data, its source defies current understanding of astrophysical events.

Unearthed from Decades of Data

First noticed during a survey focusing on transient space phenomena—short-lived events like supernovae and stellar outbursts—researchers quickly realized GPM J1839–10 was anything but transient. Unlike other cosmic events that flicker and fade, this signal continues to pulse with weak, enduring bursts of radio waves lasting from 30 to 300 seconds each, often showcasing multiple sub-bursts.

A Hidden Signal Since 1988

To their surprise, scientists revealed that similar signals had been recorded as far back as 1988, making this an ongoing cosmic mystery that has eluded detection for decades.

Challenging Existing Theories

Scientists initially believed GPM J1839–10 could be a pulsar— a dense, fast-rotating neutron star that sends out radiation beams. Yet, traditional pulsars emit signals at intervals of mere milliseconds up to a few seconds, not 22 minutes. Additionally, as pulsars age and their rotation slows, their radio emissions typically diminish.

An Unlikely Pulsar?

This particular object pulses once every 1,320 seconds, a rate that defies conventional pulsar physics. It presents a baffling contradiction within existing models, raising questions about its very existence.

Exploring Other Possibilities

Some researchers have drawn parallels between GPM J1839–10 and magnetars—neutron stars characterized by immense magnetic fields. Magnetars are known for their sudden energy outbursts but primarily emit high-energy X-rays or gamma rays, which GPM J1839–10 does not. Furthermore, magnetars typically rotate much faster than the intriguing 22-minute beacon.

The White Dwarf Theory

Others have speculated that GPM J1839–10 might be a slow-spinning white dwarf, a stellar remnant known to exhibit magnetic activity. Though abundant in the Milky Way, none have been observed to emit signals like this, making the theory both fascinating and speculative.

A New Category of Celestial Mystery?

With its consistent yet enigmatic 22-minute rhythm, GPM J1839–10 doesn't fit the mold of any known astronomical object. Scientists are now considering the possibility that it represents a new class of celestial entity—one that could be beyond our current observational capabilities or fundamentally different from anything we've discovered before.