Scientists Just Picked Up Radio Signals From an Alien Planet — And It's NOT Aliens

We finally got a radio signal from an alien planet.

Okay… before you start preparing your welcome-to-Earth speech, scientists say it's definitely NOT aliens.

But it's still a pretty wild discovery.

Astronomers have detected radio signals coming directly from a planet outside our solar system for the first time ever.

The planet is called Beta Pictoris b, and it's about 64 light-years away. It's also a monster — roughly 10 times the mass of Jupiter.

Researchers used the MeerKAT radio telescope array in South Africa to listen in on the distant system. They picked up rapid, repeating bursts of radio waves coming from the planet.

At first, scientists weren't sure if the signal was actually coming from the planet or from its star.

So they did some cosmic detective work.

By comparing the location of the radio signal with distant quasars — basically extremely bright objects that can be used as fixed reference points — researchers were able to pinpoint the source.

It was coming from the planet.

And that's a first.

So... What Is the Planet Saying?

Unfortunately, Beta Pictoris b wasn't trying to phone home.

Scientists believe the radio bursts are being produced by massive auroras.

Think of Earth's Northern Lights — except this planet's version could be dramatically more powerful.

The interaction between charged particles from the planet's star and the planet's magnetic field can create these powerful auroral emissions.

And that magnetic field is apparently ridiculously strong.

Researchers estimate Beta Pictoris b's magnetic field at around 1,250 gauss.

For comparison:

• Earth: about 0.5 gauss
• Jupiter: about 4.3 gauss
• Beta Pictoris b: about 1,250 gauss

Yeah. This planet is basically carrying a cosmic force field.

And This Could Help Us Find Habitable Worlds

The discovery isn't just cool because scientists picked up a mysterious signal from 64 light-years away.

Magnetic fields are important because they can help protect a planet's atmosphere from charged particles blasted out by its star.

That's especially important when scientists are looking at smaller planets that could potentially have conditions suitable for life.

Beta Pictoris b isn't considered a likely home for life. It's enormous and has a thick atmosphere.

But scientists now have another way to study the magnetic environments of planets that are far, far outside our solar system.

And This Is Just the Beginning

The MeerKAT telescope is essentially a preview of what's coming.

The much larger Square Kilometre Array is expected to come online in the coming years and will be significantly more powerful.

That means astronomers will be able to search many more planetary systems for radio emissions.

So, no, we haven't discovered aliens.

But for the first time, scientists have directly picked up a planet's radio "voice" from 64 light-years away.

And that's pretty damn cool.

Maybe keep the tin-foil hat handy, though.

Image Credit: brewbound.com

Candy Corn Beer Is Here, Because Apparently Halloween Wasn’t Weird Enough

Just when you thought candy corn couldn’t possibly become any more controversial, somebody went and put it in a beer.

Shock Top has teamed up with Spirit Halloween for a limited-edition Candy Corn Wheat beer. Yes, you read that correctly: candy corn-flavored beer is now a thing.

The seasonal brew is 5% ABV, because apparently this is not a beverage you should be handing out to trick-or-treaters.

The beer is already showing up at select retailers, and if enough people actually buy it, there’s a chance this could become a regular Halloween tradition.

But what does candy corn beer actually taste like?

One person who tried it says the sweetness is surprisingly restrained while still tasting like a wheat beer. The candy corn flavor is there, but apparently it’s more of a subtle Halloween twist than getting smacked in the face with a plastic pumpkin full of melted sugar.

And naturally, the internet has thoughts.

Some people are excited to try it. Others responded with things like “This is diabolical” and plenty of vomiting and grimacing GIFs.

One person even requested a non-alcoholic version, while another simply commented, “So sick!”

We're not sure if that meant “This is awesome!” or “I just drank this and deeply regret my decisions.”

And the collaboration doesn't stop with the beer.

Spirit Halloween is also selling a $70 Wedgehead costume featuring Shock Top's mascot. Because apparently, dressing up like a giant beer mascot is exactly what Halloween was missing.


Image Credit: spirithalloween.com

One important clarification: You can't just walk into Spirit Halloween and grab the beer. The costume is an online-only exclusive, while the Candy Corn Wheat is being sold at select retailers that sell alcohol.

So, if you've ever wondered what happens when you combine Halloween, candy corn and beer...

Apparently, you get this.

And honestly, we're not sure whether to try it—or call the police.

California Declares State of Emergency as Powerful El Niño Takes Shape

California is getting ready for a potentially wild winter.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency across California Monday as officials prepare for what forecasters say could become one of the strongest El Niño events ever recorded.

The declaration allows state agencies to begin preparing now for the possibility of powerful winter storms, flooding, landslides, coastal erosion and other weather-related problems.

According to the governor's office, the state is moving resources into position before the storms arrive rather than waiting until conditions become dangerous.

California Is Getting Ready for a Wet Winter

Under the emergency proclamation, state agencies can take steps to protect vulnerable communities, prepare roads and critical infrastructure, stockpile emergency supplies and reduce the potential damage from flooding and landslides.

Among the preparations:

• Sandbags, pumps and other flood-fighting equipment will be staged around the state.
• Caltrans will position traffic-control, road-closure and snow-removal equipment along highways considered most vulnerable.
• The California National Guard will be prepared to assist with flood response, search-and-rescue operations, engineering and logistics if necessary.
• Environmental and natural-resource agencies will help communities prepare for flooding, landslides and debris flows.
• State agencies will also work to speed up permitting and other processes related to emergency preparation.

California Office of Emergency Services Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs said officials aren't waiting for the storms to show up before getting ready.

The goal, she said, is to make sure communities and first responders have the people, equipment and resources necessary to respond quickly if severe weather hits.

Newsom similarly emphasized preparation, saying the state is acting early because Californians should be prepared before severe weather arrives.

So, What's El Niño Again?

If you haven't thought about El Niño since your last weather quiz, here's the quick version.

El Niño is a climate pattern involving changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures and trade winds. During an El Niño event, the normal trade winds weaken, allowing warmer water to shift eastward toward the West Coast.

That shift can influence the position of the Pacific jet stream and alter weather patterns across the United States.

For California, El Niño can mean wetter-than-normal conditions, although the exact effects can vary from one event to another. And when you combine a potentially wetter winter with California's mountains, burn scars and coastal areas, officials have plenty of reasons to start preparing early.

It's Not Just About Rain

El Niño can also have a major impact on the ocean.

Normally, winds help push warm surface water westward while cold, nutrient-rich water rises toward the surface along the West Coast. This process, called upwelling, provides nutrients that support phytoplankton and the larger marine food chain.

During El Niño, that upwelling can weaken. The resulting warmer coastal waters can affect fish populations and other marine life, while tropical species can sometimes show up in areas where they're not normally found.

And Then There's La Niña

El Niño's better-known opposite is La Niña.

During La Niña, trade winds become stronger, pushing warm water farther west and increasing upwelling along the West Coast. The jet stream also shifts northward.

That can produce a very different pattern, including increased drought risk in parts of the southern United States and wetter conditions in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

Basically, El Niño and La Niña are two sides of the Pacific Ocean's giant weather mood swing.

According to NOAA, individual El Niño or La Niña events typically last around nine to 12 months, although some can stick around longer. They generally occur every two to seven years, but there's no perfectly predictable schedule.

What This Means for Californians

For now, the state's emergency declaration is about preparation, not predicting exactly what every community will experience this winter.

Officials are getting equipment and personnel into position ahead of time in case heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, debris flows, snow or coastal impacts become a problem.

And considering California's recent history with extreme weather, the state isn't taking any chances.

Translation: winter is coming, and California is putting the sandbags out early.

Read the full emergency proclamation from Gov. Newsom's office

Costco Is Bringing Back a Beloved Food Court Item—But Which One?

Costco shoppers, prepare your taste buds. Something familiar is coming back to the Costco food court, and the company is keeping everyone guessing.

Costco recently teased the return of a popular food court item for a limited time on social media. The catch? Costco hasn't actually said what the mystery item is yet.

Naturally, the internet has theories.

Two names keep coming up over and over: the churro and the legendary combo pizza.

Could the Costco Churro Be Back?

Costco fans haven't forgotten the food court churro. In 2024, Costco removed the churro from its menu and replaced it with its giant chocolate chip cookie.

The churro had a loyal following, so its potential return has plenty of shoppers excited. And let's be honest: walking out of Costco with a $1.50 hot dog is great, but sometimes you need a massive cinnamon-sugar tube of happiness to finish the trip.

Or Is Costco Bringing Back the Combo Pizza?

The other major suspect is the combo pizza, which disappeared from Costco food courts in 2020.

The pizza was loaded with pepperoni, Italian sausage, red onion, mushrooms, green peppers and black olives. A whole 18-inch pizza reportedly cost just $9.95, while a slice was only $1.99.

For Costco fans, that's not just pizza. That's a piece of food-court history.

Costco Isn't Saying Yet

For now, Costco is keeping the mystery alive. The company has confirmed that a returning food court item will be available for a limited time at U.S. locations, but it has not revealed which menu item is making its comeback.

So what do you think?

Churro? Combo pizza? Or is Costco about to surprise everybody with something completely different?

Whatever it is, Costco shoppers are already hungry for answers.