Teleios, the mysterious object found in the Milky Way that scientists can’t decipher
A group of astronomers has identified a series of space objects with a recognizable but rare shape in space captured on the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), a more advanced radio telescope. The object has been dubbed Teleios, based on the Greek word “perfect,” with physicist and science writer Eugenio M. Fernández Aguilar describing the shape as something that could only be drawn with a compass. What is a radio telescope? Unlike a traditional telescope, which captures images of celestial objects directly, a radio telescope can detect radio waves emitted by these objects.
Australia’s radio telescope features a large parabolic dish, which is able to pick up and capture incoming radio waves.
The radio waves bounce off the dish to a focal point located at the telescope’s receiver. The job of the receiver is to convert the radio waves into electrical signals. But since we are talking about the vast distances of space, these signals can be very weak and must be amplified. Once amplified by a low-noise amplifier (LNA), the data is sent to a computer that processes the enhanced electrical signal, which can then be turned into images or spectra of the object.What is the object that the telescope found? These telescopes are capable of capturing objects that emit very little light, and astronomers are discovering familiar objects that are taking on physical shapes never seen before. Astromers believe that Telieos is a supernova that has yet to be impacted by other forces in its vicinity to give it the shape that astromers are used to capturing. A group of Australian researchers writing for The Conversation, detail how finding “a near-perfect circle in a messy universe is a special find,” for the scientific community, as it allows them to be better understand the processes that interactions that create celestial objects that astromers have identified and named, not only within our galaxy, but beyond. Related storiesSince radio telescopes don’t need to depend on light, the advancements in the technology will allow astronomers to continue looking through the darkness to discover the physical nature of objects that we would not be able to see. Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.