The study has been published in the scientific journal Astronomycal & Astrophysics and was conducted by a group of authors from the Paris Observatory at Paris Sciences et Lettres University and the University of Orléans (France).
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An image depicting a planet with a strong magnetic field emitting radio signals captured by Earth’s observatory – Image: Cornell University.
“The signals from the Tau Bootes star system, which includes a binary star and an exoplanet, are found to originate from the planet itself, based on the intensity and polarization of the radio signals,” explained Dr. Jake D. Turner from the Paris Observatory.
The radio signals, resembling powerful bursts, are not signals from extraterrestrial civilizations but rather a promising indication that the planet has the potential for a habitable environment due to its magnetic field.
On Earth, the magnetic field serves as a protective layer, shielding the planet from solar winds and cosmic rays and maintaining a stable atmosphere.
According to a citation from the study, as reported by Sci-Tech Daily, decoding these emitted radio signals will provide scientists with insights into the atmospheric characteristics of the planet and its interactions with its parent star, despite it being located 51 light-years away.
The research was conducted over 100 hours of observations using the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope located in the Netherlands.
This promising start demonstrates the feasibility of studying planets located 40 to 100 light-years away by capturing their emitted radio waves, opening up new avenues for research.