Mysterious radio pulses detected high above Antarctica may be evidence of an exotic new particle, scientists say
3 minute readPublished: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 4:42 pm
**Mysterious Radio Signals Detected in Antarctica: A Hint of New Physics?**
Scientists are puzzled by a series of unusual radio signals detected high above Antarctica. The signals, picked up by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment, are emanating from below the horizon, defying current understanding of particle physics. The ANITA experiment, carried by balloons, is designed to detect ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and neutrinos.
The detected radio waves are oriented at steep angles, suggesting they passed through vast amounts of rock before reaching the detectors. This should have weakened the signals, but they were still detectable. The signals are not consistent with the expected behavior of neutrinos, the "ghost particles" that ANITA is designed to detect. Neutrinos, due to their lack of charge and mass, can pass through matter with minimal interaction.
The researchers have labeled the signals as "anomalous," raising the possibility of new particles or interactions beyond the current Standard Model of physics. The signals could potentially be related to dark matter, the mysterious substance that makes up a significant portion of the universe's mass. The team's research was published in the journal Physical Review Letters. Future research with the more sensitive Payload for Ultrahigh Energy Observations (PUEO) instrument may provide further insights.
BNN's Perspective: The discovery of these anomalous signals is a fascinating development. While the exact nature of the signals remains a mystery, the possibility of new physics is always exciting. Further investigation and data analysis are crucial to understanding the origin of these signals and their implications for our understanding of the universe.
Keywords: radio signals, Antarctica, ANITA, neutrinos, cosmic rays, particle physics, dark matter, PUEO, anomalous signals, ghost particles, ultra-high-energy, ice showers.