New Astronomical Enigma: GPM J1839-10 Behaves Like a Pulsar But Defies Explanation
On Wednesday, astronomers made an astonishing discovery – a new astronomical object named GPM J1839-10 that is puzzling scientists worldwide. This enigmatic object behaves similarly to a pulsar, emitting regular bursts of radio energy. However, the physics behind pulsars suggests that if they slow down too much, they should stop emitting altogether. In contrast, GPM J1839-10 takes a staggering 21 minutes between pulses, a phenomenon that has left researchers baffled.
GPM J1839-10 was initially discovered during a search for transient objects in the galactic plane. Transient objects refer to objects that are not initially visible but suddenly appear during subsequent observations. These objects are typically associated with events such as supernovas, which temporarily increase their brightness. While fast radio bursts are a common type of transient object, GPM J1839-10’s behavior is vastly different, with lower energy and a spread-out burst lasting 30 seconds.
Follow-up observations revealed that GPM J1839-10 repeats regularly, with a periodicity of about 22 minutes. Within a 400-second window centered on this periodicity, bursts can occur, lasting anywhere from 30 to 300 seconds. The intensity of GPM J1839-10 varies, with numerous sub-bursts within the main signal. Interestingly, there are also periods without any bursts. Intriguingly, archival data showed that signals from GPM J1839-10 have been detected as far back as 1988, indicating that this phenomenon is not a one-time occurrence.
While scientists have been searching for comparable objects that could explain GPM J1839-10’s behavior, the list remains empty. The closest match is a pulsar, a rapidly spinning and magnetized neutron star that emits radio waves. However, the rapid gaps between pulsar flashes and the need for quick rotation make pulsars an unlikely explanation for GPM J1839-10. Similarly, magnetars, which are neutron stars with intense magnetic fields, have been ruled out due to the absence of X-ray emissions and their expected faster rotation rates. Even other possibilities, such as white dwarfs with strong magnetic fields, have been found to be incompatible.
Despite the lack of suitable explanations, researchers remain optimistic. They speculate that there could be numerous similar objects yet to be discovered, as they are incredibly challenging to detect. The length of GPM J1839-10’s bursts and the gaps between them make it difficult for short-cadence observations to capture the object accurately. To address this, researchers believe that extensive observations spanning at least 30 minutes and conducted in multiple exposures are necessary.
In the meantime, scientists aim to narrow down the location of GPM J1839-10 to explore possible interesting phenomena in other wavelengths. However, the object’s location within the galactic plane presents an additional challenge.
The discovery of GPM J1839-10 raises more questions than answers, leaving scientists with an intriguing mystery to solve. By delving deeper into this enigma and conducting more extensive observations, researchers hope to shed light on the physics and origin behind this unprecedented astronomical object.
Reference: Nature, 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06202-5