An experiment in flight on Antarctica has captured strange radio impulses from ice: a signal that could open the way for the study of phenomena so far unknown.
A scientific enigma is shaking the Antarctica: an experiment in flight has pulled strange radio impulses from the ice blanket, signs that do not harmonize with the laws of current physics and that could open the way for unknown phenomena so far.
The anomalous emission was recorded byAntarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (Anita)onearticulated series of antennas suspended from balls in the stratosphere (~ 40 km of altitude) and designed for intercept radio impulses generated by cosmic rays and neutrinos with very high energy interacting with Antarctic ice.
The origin of sound. The experiment, conducted by an international team – including researchers from Penn State – is aimed at the study of cosmic neutrinos through the askaryan effect, a fundamental physical phenomenon used to detect Ultra-energy subatomic particleslike i Cosmic neutrinithrough the radio waves which are generated when they cross a dense vehicle like ice or sand.
The mystery. However, the signals detected in June 2025 they come out of this scheme: they seem to emerge from 30 ° under the horizon, very below the frozen surface, an ‘too steep angle to be compatible with terrestrial neutrinos. According to the team’s calculations, these impulses have crossed kilometers and kilometers of rock before reaching the antenna, a journey that should have completely absorbed them. Even other sensitive observers, such as Icecube and Pierre Augers Observatory, have not intercepted compatible events.
The hypotheses. “It is a compelling question because we still don’t have an explanation, but we know that most likely it is not about neutrinos,” explained Stephanie Wissel of Penn State. Sources like The Debrief they propose fascinating scenarios: the possible is assumed trace of dark matterunknown interactions or exotic particles never observed. But for most researchers the most prosaic hypothesis remains: Unknown radio propagation phenomena near the frozen surface – but also this track, explored several times, has not provided convincing results.
What will happen now? The group is planning the launch of Pueoa more sensitive successor than Anita, which should allow you to capture a greater number of events and potentially reveal the nature of these signals. Pueo’s main objective is in fact, precisely that of detect cosmic neutrinos with ultra-alte energy (and> 10 EV) Through the impulsive radio signals they produce when they interact with Antarctic ice and provide new clues on the origin of ultra-energy cosmic rays and on high energy astrophysics. Pueo will use a Radio antennas system mounted on a stratospheric ball that flies over the Antarctica.
When a neutrin interacts in the ice, it can produce a cascade of particles that emits a radio impulse. A comparison with the data of Icecube and Pierre Auer will strengthen the analysis, excluding or confirming new particles or, finally, explanations related to propagation phenomena still unknown.
