Evidence · HD 139139, the "Random Transiter"
K2 pixels can't separate real dimming from a glitch in the saturated bleed column
In the K2 pixels the dips lose about 200 ppm per dip, almost all of it in the saturated, bleeding column 7, which is where a real dimming of a saturated star sends the missing charge. A change confined to that column fits the stacked deficit just as well (χ² 0.55 against 1.0 for 2 degrees of freedom), so the pixels cannot distinguish the two.
What it bears on 1 answer
Found by 2 runs
| Run | Measured | Result | Against | Decision | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run | Chi2 of stacked 27-dip deficit vs 'real dimming' and 'bleed column only' (null covariance); depth chi2 vs one amplitude; timing KS/permutation p-values | {'pointing_p': [0.93, 0.96], 'arclength_p': 0.73, 'column_only': {'dof': 2, 'chi2': 0.55}, 'real_dimming': {'dof': 2, 'chi2': 1.03, 'depth_ppm': 211}, 'spot_level_p': 0.3, 'no_signal_chi2': 324, 'thruster_phase_p': 0.52, 'depth_chi2_rednoise': '124/26', 'depth_chi2_published_errors': '184/26'} | 600 random non-dip epochs with the same procedure | Not a fixed-amplitude telegraph pixel and not tied to spacecraft motion; the pixels can't separate real dimming from a glitch confined to the saturated bleed column. | |
| Run | Chi2 of stacked per-pixel deficits vs PRF patterns for A, B and column-only; robustness of chi2(B) - chi2(A) | {'col7_ppm': [153, 33], 'wings_ppm': [101, 71], 'baseline_features14': {'A': 11.6, 'B': 89.6, 'dof': 13, 'column_only': 12.9}, 'dchi2_B_minus_A_range_under_robustness': [-52, 84]} | 1000 random non-dip epochs, 5000 null stacks | Inconclusive. A vs B and real dimming vs column glitch can't be separated; the apparent exclusion of star B is not robust to B's position or the PSF model. |
Cite it
Mysteries Department. (2026). K2 pixels can't separate real dimming from a glitch in the saturated bleed column [Evidence EVD0DD2G5TEHHJB]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/EVD0DD2G5TEHHJB
@misc{mysteriesdept_evd0dd2g5tehhjb,
title = {K2 pixels can't separate real dimming from a glitch in the saturated bleed column},
author = {{Mysteries Department}},
year = {2026},
note = {Evidence, catalog key EVD0DD2G5TEHHJB},
url = {https://mysteriesdept.com/r/EVD0DD2G5TEHHJB}
}