The Sun Blasted a Mysterious Radio Signal for 19 Straight Days. Here’s What We Know
A recent solar event has set a new record for the longest-lasting radio burst, lasting 19 days. This burst was analyzed by a team of researchers using data from four NASA missions, which helped identify its source. The findings could enhance our understanding of space weather and its potential impacts on satellites and spacecraft.
- ▪The solar radio burst lasted for a total of 19 days, surpassing the previous record of five days.
- ▪The event was first observed by the Solar Orbiter and later by NASA's Parker Solar Probe, Wind, and STEREO-A.
- ▪The burst is categorized as a Type IV solar radio burst, likely caused by electrons trapped in magnetic loops in the Sun's corona.
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On August 21, 2025, the Sun emitted what appeared to be a routine burst of radio-wave energy—the kind astronomers observe regularly and expect to fade within hours or days. But this signal refused to disappear. As scientists continued to track it, the burst stretched on far beyond anything previously recorded, ultimately becoming the longest-lasting solar radio burst ever…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Gizmodo.