After a 20-year search, astronomers in Australia have pinpointed the source of long-period radio transients to a system known as ASKAP J1745-5051, which consists of a white dwarf star and a red dwarf companion. This research, led by Kovi Rose from the University of Sydney using the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope, reveals that the radio signals arise from the interaction of the stars' magnetic fields as the white dwarf accretes material from the red dwarf. Unlike typical radio emissions that last seconds, these transients can persist for minutes to over an hour. The study indicates that the system's elliptical orbit causes the magnetic fields to clash, leading to the release of synchrotron radiation. Additionally, the system emits X-rays due to the heating of material as it spirals towards the white dwarf. While this discovery clarifies the origin of ASKAP J1745-5051's signals, it leaves open the possibility that other long-period radio transients may have different sources. The findings were published in the journal Nature Astronomy.