Scientists Have a New Theory to Explain 'Alien Megastructure' Star

Yet another theory was developed to explain the mysteries of Tabby's Star, one much more plausible than previous, eccentric theories of an "alien megastructure."

A new study from NASA and Belgian AstroLAB IRIS observatory suggests that the star's odd behaviour could be explained by an "uneven dust cloud."

"This pretty much rules out the alien megastructure theory, as that could not explain the wavelength-dependent dimming," says Huan Meng, at the University of Arizona, Tucson, who is lead author of the new study looking at the dust theory published in The Astrophysical Journal, in a press statement. "We suspect, instead, there is a cloud of dust orbiting the star with a roughly 700-day orbital period."

While NASA appears to be quite confident in the larger dust theory, there are still smaller mysteries within, like a three-day period earlier this year of continued short-term dimming.

It's had to move its telescopes off the star for now, but it's clear that Tabby's Star will remain an object of curiosity in the sky.

UCJ, UNILORIN.