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Today in History: Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovers first pulsar signal

11/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On November 28, 1967, Northern Irish physicist Dame Susan Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered PSR B1919+21, the first radio pulsar, while analyzing data from a radio telescope. The pulsar's regular signals initially sparked speculation of an extraterrestrial source, earning it the nickname LGM-1. This groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for future research in astrophysics.

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Story summary

On November 28, 1967, Northern Irish physicist Dame Susan Jocelyn Bell Burnell discovered PSR B1919+21, the first radio pulsar, while analyzing data from a radio telescope. The pulsar's regular signals initially sparked speculation of an extraterrestrial source, earning it the nickname LGM-1. This groundbreaking discovery laid the foundation for future research in astrophysics.