What Causes a Star System to Emit Radio Signals Every Eight Minutes?

[Campus reveiw]

Astronomers have identified a distant binary star system, GPM J071507−114153, that produces repeating radio signals roughly every eight minutes. The system is more than 5,000 light-years away and contains a white dwarf paired with a Sun-like star.

Researchers explain that magnetic interactions between the two stars produce the radio emissions. The discovery also gives scientists a way to study stellar activity and space weather beyond our solar system.



I found this explanation interesting because the signals initially sound mysterious, but the research points to a natural astrophysical process.

Read the full explanation: https://thecampusreview.com/uncategorized/star-system-emitting-radio-signals/

Discussion question: How could discoveries like this help astronomers understand magnetic activity on distant stars?