Scientists have been left perplexed by strange signals discovered beneath Antarctica. Instead of cosmic rays from space, a cosmic particle detector picked up unusual signals from beneath the ice.

The Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment, which includes instruments flown on balloons high above Antarctica to detect radio waves from cosmic rays, detected these unexpected radio pulses. According to Penn State, the signals challenge the current understanding of particle physics.

Stephanie Wissel, an associate professor of physics, astronomy, and astrophysics at Penn State, explained that the signals were detected at steep angles below the surface of the ice, suggesting they were coming from below the horizon. This orientation defies explanation and may indicate the presence of new particles or interactions previously unknown to science.

Neutrinos, elusive particles with no charge and the smallest mass of all subatomic particles, are typically emitted by high-energy sources such as the sun, supernovas, or the Big Bang. However, they are notoriously difficult to detect due to their lack of interaction with other particles.

While some theories propose that the anomalous signals may be related to dark matter, the absence of corroborating observations with IceCube and Auger limits the possibilities. The researchers described the signals as anomalous, indicating that they are not caused by neutrinos.

Penn State researchers have been studying neutrino signals for nearly a decade and are currently working on a new, larger detector called PUEO. This new detector aims to improve the detection of neutrino signals and potentially provide insights into the nature of the mysterious signals.

Published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the research findings have sparked curiosity and excitement among scientists eager to unravel the mysteries hidden beneath Antarctica.