Although many new exoplanets are discovered every year, for the first time, radio signals have been detected coming directly from one of them. These signals are not related to the activity of extraterrestrial civilizations; instead, they have a natural origin and are caused by polar auroras in the upper layers of the exoplanet's atmosphere.

Previously, astronomers had already detected radio waves, but it was not possible to determine with certainty whether they originated from the exoplanet or its star. In the case of the gas giant β Pictoris b, the situation has changed.

Research using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa made it possible to study the β Pictoris system, which is located about 64 light-years from Earth. During the observations, weak bursts of radio signals were recorded, and their source was precisely identified—it turned out to be the exoplanet β Pictoris b.

These radio bursts provided additional information about the characteristics of the exoplanet. In particular, the magnetic field of the young gas giant is estimated to be at least 1,250 gauss in the emission region, which is significantly higher than the corresponding value for Jupiter.