🧪 Echoes from the lab
How a Microwave Oven Baffled Scientists at Parkes Telescope

- What: The Parkes radio telescope detected mysterious bursts that were later found to be caused by a nearby microwave oven.
- Where: Australia
- When: 2015
In 2015, the Parkes radio telescope in Australia detected mysterious bursts known as “perytons.”
Initially, these signals baffled scientists, resembling fast radio bursts (FRBs) from deep space.
Researchers scrambled to understand their origin, exploring cosmic phenomena and alien signals.
But the truth was much closer to home.
After extensive investigation, scientists discovered that the bursts were actually linked to a nearby microwave oven.
When the microwave door was opened mid-cycle, it emitted radio waves that mimicked these cosmic signals.
This unexpected revelation highlighted the importance of controlling environmental factors in scientific research.
It served as a reminder that sometimes, the answers we seek are not light-years away, but just a few feet away in our kitchens.
Did You Know?
The Parkes radio telescope is also known for its role in receiving images during the Apollo 11 mission.