Scientists have discovered that high-altitude balloon sensors have picked up a strange noise in the stratosphere, described as “completely unknown” space sounds. The research team from the University of California, Berkeley launched balloons to collect data on infrasound, which are low-frequency sounds below the threshold of human hearing. The balloons were equipped with microphones and floated up to an altitude of around 24 miles (39 kilometers) to collect data.
What they found was a series of unexplained noises. The researchers say that the sounds don’t match any known phenomena and are different from the noises produced by human activity, such as planes or trains. Some of the sounds lasted for hours and were picked up by multiple balloons.
Infrasound is created by natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and meteors, but the source of these newly discovered sounds remains a mystery. Scientists have speculated that the sounds could be caused by atmospheric turbulence or waves, but more research is needed to confirm this.
The discovery of these strange space sounds highlights the importance of studying the stratosphere, which has been relatively unexplored compared to other areas of space. The researchers hope that their findings will lead to more research and better understanding of the stratosphere, which could have important implications for weather forecasting and space exploration.
The research team plans to launch more balloons in the future to collect more data on these mysterious sounds. With more research, scientists may be able to unravel the mystery of these unexplained space sounds and learn more about the complex and fascinating world of the stratosphere.