The strange object, located approximately 4,000 light-years from the Sun, is unlike any cosmic structure or object observed to date, researchers write in the 26 January issue of Nature.

The object has been named GLEAM-X J162759.5-523504.3 (GLEAM). It appeared "out of nowhere" in a recent radio wave survey of the Milky Way. According to the researchers, GLEAM rapidly brightened (within about 60 seconds), briefly becoming one of the brightest objects in the sky, before suddenly fading into darkness. About 20 minutes later, the object reappeared, again shining steadily
until reaching its maximum brightness, but then dimmed again after a minute.