First FM Radio Signal Detected by NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered FM radio transmissions from Jupiter's moon Ganymede, one of Jupiter’s 79 moons for the first time. Because no activity or signal had ever been detected from this moon previously, the finding drove the astronomy community into a frenzy, raising worries about the possibility of extra-terrestrial life. 

About Largest Moon - “Ganymede” 

“Juno's principal mission is to disclose Jupiter's origin and development storey. Juno will monitor Jupiter's gravity and magnetic fields, atmosphere dynamics and composition, and evolution using long-proven technologies aboard a spinning spacecraft situated in an elliptical polar orbit, according to NASA. 

The Juno mission, which was formally re-extended for another 5 years earlier this year, has once again made news with a big finding. It's not about Jupiter this time, though. The report is about Ganymede the biggest moon of the gas giant. Juno detected an FM radio transmission from the moon as the tale goes. 

Can't we at least get proof that the radio signals from space are of extra-terrestrial origin and that they genuinely represent anything, after all the recent news about them?

Unfortunately, NASA authorities believe it is of natural origin, therefore this one from Ganymede will not be it either.

The signal was a "decametric radio emission," according to the official terminology, but we all know it by its more popular screen name, Wi-Fi. The frequency range is the same as that employed by our Earthly communications.

FM Radio Signal

The radio signal from Ganymede lasted only 5 seconds but this is mainly due to the high speed at which Juno was passing.

Juno caught the FM radio signal while circling in Jupiter's polar regions, close to the magnetic field that connects Jupiter to Ganymede. In terms of the actual reason, experts believe it was caused by electrons oscillating at a slower pace than usual. This is referred to as cyclotron maser instability (CMI). 

Radio waves have long been known to exist on Jupiter, but none have ever been caught from its moons. Despite the fact that it is not an extra-terrestrial signal, the fact that it is the first of its kind from Ganymede makes it all the more noteworthy. 

Ganymede once again reveals why it is one of the Solar System's most fascinating things. Scientists have made numerous key discoveries concerning our solar system's biggest moon in the last decade, putting it high on the scientific list of exploration destinations. 

Aurora in the far ultraviolet band can be caused by the same electrons that caused these radio waves. Juno's camera caught a glimpse of what was going on. 
Only five seconds of the radio waves in the remarkable discovery were discovered by the orbiting probe Juno.

Juno has been travelling at a breath-taking 111,847 mph, which is fast enough to cross the whole United States of America from coast to coast in under two minutes.
 
NASA's Predictions

In an interview with KDFW, Patrick Wiggins, a NASA Utah ambassador, emphasized that it might not be aliens.

 
Wiggins mentioned, “It’s not E.T. It’s more of a natural function.”

In any case, discoveries like this one of Ganymede's FM radio signal demonstrate the value of the Juno mission and why it should continue to operate for as long as possible. For the time being, the mission has been extended until 2025, or sooner if a system breakdown occurs. 

Many comparable missions have operated for many years after their initial forecasts, and it's feasible that Juno may do so as well. 
In any event, the project's final day, whenever it arrives, will be a significant loss for astronomy and science, and it will be years before any mission like it can reach Jupiter's orbit. 

In any event, the project's final day, whenever it arrives, will be a significant loss for astronomy and science, and it will be years before any mission like it can reach Jupiter's orbit. 

Written By - Anjali Gupta

Edited By - Gunika Manchanda