Characteristics of cosmic radio radiation

Cosmic radio radiation is radiation of extraterrestrial origin in the radio‐frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such radiation was discovered by Karl Jansky of Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1932 on a wavelength of 14.6 m. While studying the direction of arrival of the atmospheric disturbances which interfere with the transatlantic short‐wave radio communications, Jansky found that in addition to familiar atmospheric static due to local and distant thunderstorms, his directive antenna was picking up persistent strange static noise. From further observations he concluded that the static noise was coming from the general direction of the Milky Way and the maximum noise was from the Constellation of Sagittarius, the central region of the Milky Way. Jansky suggested that this cosmic radio wave might be originating either in the stars or in interstellar space.