---
title: "Astronomers Detect First Radio Signals From Exoplanet Beta Pictoris b"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/tech/astronomers-detect-first-radio-signals-from-exoplanet-beta-pictoris-b"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/astronomers-detect-first-radio-signals-from-exoplanet-beta-pictoris-b"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/tech/astronomers-detect-first-radio-signals-from-exoplanet-beta-pictoris-b.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/astronomers-detect-first-radio-signals-from-exoplanet-beta-pictoris-b"
category: "Science & Tech"
published: "2026-09-22T17:25:14.447Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-22T17:00:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-22T17:25:14.447Z"
trust_score: 50
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 45
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-22T18:24:50.554Z"
---

# Astronomers Detect First Radio Signals From Exoplanet Beta Pictoris b

*Signals believed to originate from the planet's aurora could indicate a magnetic field thousands of times stronger than Earth's.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 50 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named bodies, but relies on anonymous sourcing for specific details.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reports are clear and hold together, but lack quotes from affected parties or discussion of future implications.
- Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines promise alien contact, but the body clarifies it's auroral emissions.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Astronomers have detected radio signals directly from the exoplanet Beta Pictoris b, a first for planets outside our solar system.
- The signals are believed to originate from the planet's aurora, similar to Earth's Northern Lights.
- Research suggests Beta Pictoris b may possess a magnetic field thousands of times stronger than Earth's.
- The study has not yet undergone peer review.

Astronomers have detected radio signals originating directly from the exoplanet Beta Pictoris b, approximately 63.4 light-years from Earth. This marks the first time such signals have been unequivocally traced to a planet beyond our solar system, rather than its host star. The findings suggest Beta Pictoris b may have a magnetic field thousands of times stronger than Earth's.

The radio signals are thought to emanate from the planet's aurora, a phenomenon caused by charged particles interacting with its atmosphere and magnetic field. Researchers identified the signals using South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope array. The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, also suggests that advancements in next-generation radio observatories could allow for the detection of similar emissions from more distant exoplanets.

## Disagreement on signal origin

While the majority of reports state the signals originate from Beta Pictoris b, one digest from Digato states the signal is likely emanating from the planet's polar axils. The Economic Times and Science News digests state the signals are related to radio emissions from aurorae, and IBTimes UK and Index.hr digests mention auroral radio emissions.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports mention the specific details of the research team's affiliation with the University of Oregon, which was stated in the full report from HuffPost UK.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 39% (5)
- Centre: 38% (5)
- Right: 23% (3)

25 of 38 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-22T18:24:50.554Z.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 5 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-22T18:30:06.836Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports from HuffPost UK, IBTimes UK, and Index.hr highlighted the detection of the first direct radio signal from an exoplanet. HuffPost UK and IBTimes UK noted that the signals originated from the planet's aurora. HuffPost UK also detailed the potential strength of Beta Pictoris b's magnetic field, suggesting it could be thousands of times stronger than Earth's, and mentioned the use of the MeerKAT radio telescope. Index.hr explicitly stated the signals were not from aliens.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports from The Economic Times and Science News focused on the breakthrough of detecting repeating radio bursts from an exoplanet and what it reveals about the planet's magnetic environment. The Economic Times specified the distance as 63 light-years and mentioned the signals were detected in the frequency band between 0.85 GHz and 3.5 GHz. Science News noted that Beta Pictoris b has the mass of 10 Jupiters and a magnetic field thousands of times stronger than Earth's. Both outlets mentioned the signals are related to auroral processes.

### Right

- Right-rated reports from La Razón and Moneycontrol highlighted that astronomers have detected direct radio signals from an exoplanet for the first time. La Razón mentioned the discovery of auroras on Beta Pictoris b. Moneycontrol's headline posed the question of whether an alien planet had spoken to Earth, but its digest clarified that scientists decoded the signals from Beta Pictoris b, which could reveal secrets about its magnetic field and auroras.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 3
- high: 4
- unknown: 26
- veryHigh: 4

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Origo](https://origo.hu/tudomany/2026/09/exobolygo-radiojel-beta-pictoris-b-magneses-ter) — Are Aliens Sending Messages? Surprising Radio Signals From a Distant Planet
- [yenicaggazetesi.com](https://yenicaggazetesi.com/uzaydan-gelen-sinyal-bilim-dunyasini-heyecanlandirdi-bir-ilk-gerceklesti-1074408h.htm) — A Signal From Space Has Excited the Scientific World: A First Has Been Achieved.
- [abcgazetesi.com.tr](https://abcgazetesi.com.tr/bilgi/63-isik-yili-uzakliktaki-gezegen-ilk-kez-radyo-sinyali-yaydi-kaynagi-belli-oldu-872294) — Planet 63 Light Years Away Emits Radio Signal for First Time! Source Identified!
- [Unknown](https://digiato.com/astronomy/first-radio-signal-exoplanet-beta-pictoris-b) — Scientists Receive Radio Signal From Exoplanet for First Time
- [Sözcü](https://sozcu.com.tr/63-isik-yili-uzaktaki-gezegenden-ilk-kez-radyo-sinyali-alindi-p362596) — First Radio Signal Detected From Planet 63 Light Years Away - Sözcü Newspaper
- [cedarnews.net](https://cedarnews.net/tracks/1000825/%d9%87%d9%84-%d9%87%d9%86%d8%a7%d9%83-%d8%ad%d9%8a%d8%a7%d8%a9-%d8%ae%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%ac-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d8%b1%d8%b6%d8%9f-%d8%a5%d8%b4%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%a9-%d8%ba%d8%a7%d9%85%d8%b6%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%b5) — Is There Life Outside the Earth? A Mysterious Signal Arrives From a Distant Planet for the First Time.
- [IBTimes UK](https://ibtimes.co.uk/radio-signal-traced-beta-pictoris-b-1821235) — Astronomers Detect the First Direct Radio Signal From an Exoplanet but Disappoint Alien Enthusiasts
- [Fredzone](https://fredzone.org/premiere-detection-de-signaux-radio-emanant-directement-dune-exoplanete) — First Detection of Radio Signals Coming Directly From an Exoplanet
- [delfi.lv](https://delfi.lv/campus/56036782/kosmoss/120135489/astronomi-pirmo-reizi-fiksejusi-tiesu-radiosignalu-no-citplanetas) — Astronomers Have Detected a Direct Radio Signal From an Alien Planet for the First Time
- [futurezone.at](https://futurezone.at/science/radiosignale-exoplaneten-beta-pictoris-b-meerkat-radioteleskop/403192606) — Receive Radio Signals Directly From Exoplanets for the First Time
- [HuffPost UK](https://huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/first-radio-signal-exoplanet_uk_6ab2552be4b043d6b5687296) — Space Scientists Just Found The First Ever Direct Radio Signal From An Exoplanet
- [winfuture.de](https://winfuture.de/news,161447.html) — For the First Time, Radio Signal Received Clearly From an Exoplanet
- [BAKU.WS: Xəbəriniz olsun](https://baku.ws/dunya/kosmosda-bir-ilk-yasandi-yadplanetlilerden-birbasa-radio-siqnali-gelib) — A First in Space - Did a Direct Radio Signal Come From Aliens?
- [tgrthaber.com](https://tgrthaber.com/teknoloji/dunya-disindan-gelen-sinyalin-kaynagi-belli-oldu-uzaylilar-degil-gercek-bambaska-3360828) — The Source of the Signal From Outer Space Has Been Identified: It's Not Aliens, the Reality Is Something Else Entirely.
- [gazetepencere.com](https://gazetepencere.com/bilim-teknoloji/heyecanlandiran-kesif-baska-bir-gezegenden-dogrudan-radyo-sinyali-alindi-716419h) — Exciting Discovery: Direct Radio Signal Received From Another Planet
- [interia.pl](https://geekweek.interia.pl/nauka/news-po-raz-pierwszy-wykryto-sygnaly-radiowe-pochodzace-z-egzopla,nId,23547306) — Radio Signals From an Exoplanet Detected for the First Time
- [skyatnightmagazine](https://skyatnightmagazine.com/news/radio-signals-detected-beta-pictoris-b) — Radio signals detected from a planet beyond our Solar System. Landmark discovery could help us search for habitable worlds | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
- [La Razón](https://larazon.es/tecnologia-consumo/ciencia/astronomos-centro-astrofisica-harvard-smithsonian-detectan-primera-vez-senales-radio-directas-exoplaneta-descubren-auroras_202609226ab2325f4efaef5b9731ecbb.html) — Harvard & Smithsonian Astrophysics Center Astronomers First Detect Direct Radio Signals From an Exoplanet and Discover Aurora
- [RTVI](https://rtvi.com/news/astronomy-vpervye-pojmali-radiosignal-s-ekzoplanety) — Astronomers Have Caught a Radio Signal From an Exoplanet for the First Time
- [Il Fatto Quotidiano](https://ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/09/22/beta-pictoris-b-segnali-radio-esopianeta-notizie/8514074) — Beta Pictoris B: Radio Signals From an Exoplanet at 63 Light Years
- [Aroged](https://aroged.com/2026/09/22/this-exoplanet-appears-on-the-radio-for-the-first-time-scientists-directly-record-its-radio-emissions) — This exoplanet appears on the radio for the first time - scientists directly record its radio emissions
- [Numerama](https://numerama.com/sciences/2337333-pour-la-premiere-fois-on-a-capte-des-signaux-radios-sur-une-exoplanete.html) — For the First Time, Radio Signals Were Picked up on an Exoplanet.
- [antena3.ro](https://antena3.ro/life/stiinta/premiera-istorica-in-astronomie-cercetatorii-au-detectat-semnale-radio-care-provin-direct-de-la-o-exoplaneta-de-la-63-de-ani-lumina-804140.html) — Historical Premiere in Astronomy: Researchers Have Detected Radio Signals Coming Directly From an Exoplanet, From 63 Light-Years
- [ANSA](https://ansa.it/canale_scienza/notizie/spazio_astronomia/2026/09/22/primi-segnali-radio-da-un-pianeta-alieno-ma-non-li-ha-inviati-et_c31249cf-a1eb-47ad-8cae-de11bff40eaf.html) — First Radio Signals From an Alien Planet, but Did Not Send Them ET - Space and Astronomy
- [Akşam](https://aksam.com.tr/teknoloji/ote-gezegenden-ilk-kez-radyo-sinyali-tespit-edildi/haber-1700339) — First Radio Signal Detected From Exoplanet.
- [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/stiinta-sanatate/oamenii-de-stiinta-detecteaza-pentru-prima-data-un-semnal-radio-provenit-direct-de-la-o-exoplaneta-23811604) — Scientists First Detect a Radio Signal Coming Directly From an Exoplanet
- [Heti Világgazdaság](https://hvg.hu/tudomany/20260922_radiojel-exobolygo-beta-pictoris-b-csillagaszat) — A Radio Signal Has Arrived From an Alien Planet.
- [scinexx.de](https://scinexx.de/?p=318355) — Polar Light Enables Direct Measurement of an Exoplanet Magnetic Field for the First Time
- [azedu.az](https://azedu.az/az/news/110866/astronomlar-ilk-defe-ekzoplanetden-radio-siqnali-qeyde-aldilar) — Astronomers Record First Radio Signal From Exoplanet
- [haberglobal.com](https://haberglobal.com/bilim-teknoloji/uzayda-tarihi-kesif-bir-ote-gezegenden-ilk-kez-radyo-sinyali-tespit-edildi-545250) — Historic Discovery in Space: Radio Signal Detected From an Exoplanet for the First Time.
- [Unknown](https://science.focus.ua/uk/nauka/768557-nevzhe-ce-inoplanetyani-radiosignal-iz-kosmosu-vpershe-nadiyshov-iz-pevnoji-planeti) — Are They Aliens: Radio Signal From Space Came From a Certain Planet for the First Time
- [24 HU](https://24.hu/tudomany/2026/09/22/radiojel-fold-exobolygo-kutatas-meerkat) — Mysterious Radio Signals Have Reached Earth From a Planet
- [Moneycontrol](https://moneycontrol.com/science/did-an-alien-planet-just-speak-to-earth-scientists-decode-beta-pictoris-b-s-first-ever-radio-signals-article-14035109.html) — Did an alien planet just "speak" to Earth? Scientists decode Beta Pictoris B’s first-ever radio signals
- [IndexHR](https://index.hr/vijesti/clanak/s-planeta-udaljenog-63-svjetlosne-godine-stigao-radio-signal-nisu-izvanzemaljci/2837176.aspx) — A Radio Signal Has Arrived From a Planet 63 Light Years Away. It's Not Aliens.
- [techgear.gr](https://techgear.gr/entopistikan-gia-proti-fora-radiofonika-simata-apeytheias-apo-exoplaniti-50608) — Radio Signals Directly From an Exoplanet Detected for the First Time
- [Science Alert](https://sciencealert.com/astronomers-detect-radio-signals-coming-directly-from-an-exoplanet-for-the-first-time) — Astronomers Detect Radio Signals Coming Directly From an Exoplanet For The First Time
- [The Economic Times](https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/global-trends/a-planet-63-light-years-away-is-sending-repeating-radio-bursts-and-scientists-can-read-them-for-the-first-time-heres-what-it-reveals-about-the-alien-world/articleshow/134414969.cms) — A planet 63 light-years away is sending repeating radio bursts, and scientists can read them for the first time. Here’s what it reveals about the alien world
- [Science News](https://sciencenews.org/article/exoplanet-aurora-radio-waves) — First radio waves seen from an exoplanet hint at otherworldly auroras

## Questions

**What is Beta Pictoris b?**

Beta Pictoris b is an exoplanet located approximately 63.4 light-years from Earth. It is described as a young, massive gas giant, potentially with a magnetic field thousands of times stronger than Earth's, and it orbits the star Beta Pictoris.

**What are the detected radio signals from Beta Pictoris b?**

Astronomers have detected radio signals directly from Beta Pictoris b for the first time. These signals are believed to originate from the planet's aurora, which is caused by charged particles interacting with its atmosphere and magnetic field.

**What is the significance of this discovery?**

This discovery marks the first direct measurement of a magnetic field strength for an exoplanet. It suggests Beta Pictoris b has a very powerful magnetic field and demonstrates a new method for studying planetary environments beyond our solar system.

---

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