We've Been Receiving Another WTF Radio Signal From an Object 1,000,000 LY Wide
Sep 24, 2025
The discovery of “Odd Radio Circles” in deep space has scientists stumped.
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Astronomers are captivated by a new cosmic mystery: strange, glowing circles in space that defy all explanation. Known as "Odd Radio Circles", or ORCs, these colossal structures are a million light-years wide and are changing everything we thought we knew about the cosmos. In this video, we’re delving into the leading theories to explain where these giant rings came from.
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0:00 WTF?
1:44 The EMU Project
4:32 Discovery
6:41 The First ORC
7:44 What Are ORCs?
10:41 Hypothesis 1: Cataclysmic Event
11:42 Hypothesis 2: Jets
12:48 Hypothesis 3: Starburst Termination Shock
14:03 More Circles
17:24 Cloverleaf ORC
20:03 Hypothesis 4: Galaxy Collision
21:16 The Search Continues
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References:
“Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) survey science goals”, via emu-survey.org https://astrumspace.info/emusurvey
“Unexpected circular radio objects at high Galactic latitude”, via cambridge.org https://astrumspace.info/orc1
“Expect the unexpected from the big data boom in radio astronomy”, via theconversation.com https://astrumspace.info/askap
“What are odd radio circles (ORCs)?”, via spaceaustralia.com https://astrumspace.info/whatareorcs
“Origin scenarios for odd radio circles”, via arxiv.org https://astrumspace.info/orcorigins
“Discovery of a Cloverleaf-shaped odd radio circle”, via nature.com https://astrumspace.info/cloverleaforc
“Interpreting the Cloverleaf ORC: competing hypotheses”, via nature.com https://astrumspace.info/orchypothesis
“The galactic dance hypothesis for ORC formation”, via aanda.org https://astrumspace.info/orcgalacticm...
“ASKAP reveals a supernova remnant”, via phys.org https://astrumspace.info/askapsupernova
“Zooniverse citizen science projects”, via zooniverse.org https://astrumspace.info/zooniverse
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Credits:
Writer: Michelle Babcock
Video Editor: Frame Forge
Researcher: Shourya Shrivastava
Script Editor: Damaris McColgan
Thumbnail Designer: Peter Sheppard
Channel Manager: Georgina Brenner
Production Manager: Raquel Taylor
Head of Astrum: Jess Jordan
Creator of Astrum: Alex McColgan
With special thanks to:
NASA/ESO/ESA
#Astrum #Space #OddRadioCircles