Mystery of Simultaneous Transients in 1950 Palomar Sky Survey Image
A study investigates nine simultaneous star-like transient objects detected in the 1950 Palomar Sky Survey (POSS-I) images. The paper systematically rules out various possibilities, including cosmic rays, meteorite fragments, and airplane strobe lights. The researchers suggest radioactive contamination of the photographic plates from atomic bomb tests as a likely culprit, although the lack of official tests between 1949 and 1951 raises questions. An alternative explanation proposes that these transients are glints from small, reflective objects in geosynchronous orbit, potentially satellite debris. Ultimately, the lack of access to the original plates for microscopic examination leaves both contamination and satellite glints as plausible explanations. The study highlights the importance of anomalies detected in citizen science projects.