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'Alien' signal turns out to be microwave oven

By T.K. Randall
April 14, 2015 · Comment icon 47 comments

Microwaves appear to be able to emulate signals from space. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Apoltix
Astronomers in Australia discovered an unexpected source for a series of mysterious radio signals.
The team at the Parkes Observatory in New South Wales had been investigating unexplained radio signals known as a perytons which bear a close resemblance to the mysterious "fast radio bursts" recently put forward as possible evidence of a type of intelligent extraterrestrial communication.

Far from being a message from aliens however the perytons turned out to have a far more mundane, though amusing, explanation.
"We have identified strong out-of-band emission at 2.3-2.5 GHz associated with several peryton events," wrote astronomer Emily Petroff in a paper detailing the findings.

"Subsequent tests revealed that a peryton can be generated at 1.4 GHz when a microwave oven door is opened prematurely and the telescope is at an appropriate relative angle."

In other words - the mysterious peryton signals were being produced whenever someone was opening their microwave door before the timer had finished counting down.

Source: CNET.com | Comments (47)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #38 Posted by DONTEATUS 10 years ago
Both Sweet P. its a Foodie Tech, make you hungry and sit down to think about it for a Nano Sec Thread ! Ok Im done ! Nope Still hungry !you knows me`s
Comment icon #39 Posted by She-ra 10 years ago
Here is an article that challenges this: Mysterious Radio Bursts Are Indeed Coming From A Galaxy Far, Far Away New research clears the reputation of these distant signals Read article here: http://www.popsci.com/cosmic-whodunnit-culprit-ismicrowave-ovens
Comment icon #40 Posted by Calibeliever 10 years ago
When I first got on the net, I got into an argument with a woman who could hear a local radio ham on her baby monitor. She was utterly irate, and got even more irate when I told he that it was probably the fault of her cheap monitor, not the radio ham. Hot Pockets were briefly sold in Australia, but not any more. LOL no. HAM operators are are only allowed to operate within specific bands and power. If they adhere to the rules they shouldn't interfere with household electronics. Many operators do not operate within these parameters however, and like to boost their equipment to get more range. Y... [More]
Comment icon #41 Posted by Yes_Man 10 years ago
well apparently they knew the direction the signal was coming from, which ruled out the microwaves, wasn't there a simulair signal a few years ago? remains unsolved?
Comment icon #42 Posted by Codenwarra 10 years ago
LOL no. HAM operators are are only allowed to operate within specific bands and power. If they adhere to the rules they shouldn't interfere with household electronics. Many operators do not operate within these parameters however, and like to boost their equipment to get more range. Your neighbor had a legitimate beef I don't want to hijack this thread, but one of the constant complaints of the amateur and other radio operators in Australia were that there are virtually no standards in the Australian regulations requiring that consumer grade receiving equipment had anti-interference circuitry ... [More]
Comment icon #43 Posted by Harte 10 years ago
Here is an article that challenges this: Read article here: http://www.popsci.co...microwave-ovens Nice effort, She-Ra, but the article doesn't challenge it. It actually reports it. This article is about a different sort of signal, an FRB (fast radio burst.) The signal that turned out to be the microwave was what is called a "peryton." Harte
Comment icon #44 Posted by Shouldthisexist 10 years ago
As long as the aliens aren't heating up their coffee in our break room, I don't care. BUM BUM BUM BUM..... Tonight on ancient aliens we explore microwaves. Where did they come from why are they here? Is it really to heat up your left overs, or were they brought here by aliens with a more sinster plot? Follow us tonight as we misquote scientists and fake translitatons tonight at 9!!!
Comment icon #45 Posted by Calibeliever 10 years ago
I don't want to hijack this thread, but one of the constant complaints of the amateur and other radio operators in Australia were that there are virtually no standards in the Australian regulations requiring that consumer grade receiving equipment had anti-interference circuitry other than the usual tuning circuitry. This may have changed since. In an issue of "Amateur Radio" published by the Wireless Institute of Australia in the 1980s, it was noted that in some imported TV sets the portions of the circuit board that in other markets had such circuitry, it was absent in Australia. Aside from ... [More]
Comment icon #46 Posted by Dinosaur Jr 10 years ago
Man, ever since i heard this story months ago, every time i walk up to my micowave oven at night, the X-files theme song starts playing in my head.
Comment icon #47 Posted by aquatus1 10 years ago
As long as it isn't playing anywhere else, you're good.


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