the secret of the australian mystery signal

[Umlüx]

The mystery behind radio signals that have baffled scientists at Australia’s most famous radio telescope for 17 years has finally been solved.

The signals’ source? A microwave oven in the kitchen at the Parkes observatory used by staff members to heat up their lunch.

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/may/05/microwave-oven-caused-mystery-signal-plaguing-radio-telescope-for-17-years

ookay.. thats... awesome

[Scotius]

Nice find And i guess it's a downside to having such incredibly effective instrument - it can't help itself. It has to detect everything in range - even mundane and annoying.

[Oafman]

I am quite surprised that nobody thought of this sooner. Easy with hindsight I suppose

[LordFerret]

Maybe its time they installed a new microwave oven? Newer ones don't 'leak' as such. lol

[Acemcbean]

Its like a reverse of how we discovered the EMR from the Big Bang. The scientists responsible thought it was just bird poop causing the interference.

[ChrisSpace]

Australian scientists. Enough said.

[SargeRho]

Time to finally build that radio telescope on the far side of the Moon?

[CelticCossack51]

Blame the sandwich guy in KSC!

[Dodgey]

Australian scientists. Enough said.

Hey! You wern't complaining when we gave you a live transmission of the moon landing thank you very much.

Edit: Just saw your location, oh well there goes my joke.

Edited May 11, 2015 by Dodgey

[Fel]

Australian scientists. Enough said.

"Sydney, Australia"

It's one thing to be from another country and say that; but to say that to your own? Wow.

[stibbons]

Australian scientists. Enough said.

...the rest are eating their midnight snacks cold?

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I still think this should be a serious contender for this year's Ig Nobel prizes, by the way.