Astroboffins reckon they've detected four hidden exoplanets by probing distant radio waves

Astronomers may have stumbled upon four exoplanets when surveying distant red dwarf stars using only low-frequency radio waves. An international team of researchers led by the University of Leiden, the Netherlands, observed 19 M-type stars - ranging from 13 to 156 light-years away - using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), the …

[Arty Effem]

"probing distant radio waves?"

How is it possible to probe distant radio waves? Surely they have to reach your antenna first.

[Denarius]

Uh ?

radio light ?? You mean radio emmissions perhaps. Light is much higher frequencies than a mere 200 Mhz. BTW, 200 Mhz is VHF, not low frequencies. For that one needs to be below 500 Khz approx.

[Paul Kinsler]

Re: Uh ?

Well, it's an odd phrasing, but since radio waves and light are all just different frequencies (or wavelengths, if you prefer) of EM radiation, it's not really all that wrong.

[DJO]

Re: Uh ?

Astronomers regard things differently, for them any detectable radiation is "light" in the same way that any material that is not Hydrogen or Helium is a "metal".

Don't let it bother you.

[Cuddles]

Re: Uh ?

Visible light refers to a particular set of frequencies. Light in general refers to all electromagnetic radiation. That's not a quirk of astronomers, it's just what the words mean.

[Potemkine!]

"Astroboffins reckon they've detected four hidden exoplanets by probing distant radio waves"

=>

"Astroboffins reckon they may have detected four hidden exoplanets by probing distant radio waves"

[ThatOne]

Not for long

Wait till video kills the radio star...

[Francis Boyle]

Re: Not for long

We can't be sure it's come too far.

[Anonymous Coward]

Cool beans!

And SKA will be at least 50 times more sensitive than LOFAR.

I like living in interesting times. :)

[Mister Dubious]

What's playing?

You don't want to visit these exoplanets: Their radio signals carry Nickleback.