Since 1988, every 22 minutes the Earth has been receiving a signal from outer space that lasts for 30 to 300 seconds. The source of this signal is unknown and there are no known objects that can produce this behavior. Possible candidates include neutron stars, white dwarf stars, or exotic stars but none of these fully fit the observed pattern. To study this signal, telescopes would need to stare at a single point in the sky for several periods of the signal's arrival time, which may not be a viable commitment of limited telescope resources.
1. Earth has been receiving a signal from outer space every 22 minutes since 1988.
2. The burst of radio energy arrives lost anywhere from 30 to 300 seconds and the intensity varies from barely detectable to blinding.
3. The signal reliably arrives every 1320 seconds or about every 22 minutes except for occasionally.
4. There is no known object that could produce this type of behavior.
5. Transient signals from space aren't uncommon and usually point to sites of extreme phenomena.
6. The designation given to this particular transient signal is GPM J1839-10.
7. Researchers have suggested potential sources for the signal including pulsars, magnetars, and white dwarf stars, but none of the behaviors fit perfectly.
8. The 30 to 300 second signal and 22-minute period make it difficult to detect and study.
9. The study of this signal would require a significant commitment of limited telescope resources.