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Scientists Stumped by Blast From Outer Space

Mysterious pulse could be sign of black hole evaporating or supernovas colliding

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2007 5:15 PM CDT

(Newser) – A bizarre burst from outer space has scientists talking black holes and colliding stars, Physorg reports — and may even help us "determine the amount of material in intergalactic space," one researcher says. The radio waves, which were measured in milliseconds, might be a blast from 2 superdense neutron stars or the "last gasp" of a dying black hole. 

Researchers grabbed the data while hunting pulsars in the Magellanic Clouds, a couple of galaxies orbiting the Milky Way. They've never seen a blast like it, but think their instruments are to blame — hundreds of similar salvos may fly through space every day, say Australian astronomers. Now they're combing the sky for more of them, hoping to solve the mystery.

TRAVEL UST-MAUNAKEA 1 TB
TRAVEL UST-MAUNAKEA 1 TB   (KRT Photos)
ESA Inaugurates Their First Ground-Based Deep-Space Radio Telescope
ESA Inaugurates Their First Ground-Based Deep-Space Radio Telescope   (Getty Images)
Astronomers Find Radio-Jets In An Unusual Place
Astronomers Find Radio-Jets In An Unusual Place   (Getty Images)
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