Strange signals detected by the Parkes telescope in central-west NSW were not intergalactic signals but instead, emissions escaping from a microwave in the site's kitchen, scientists say.

Scientists at the radio telescope facility are researching "fast radio bursts" which could be intergalactic signals.

PhD student Emily Petroff was one of those investigating when they noticed unusual signals that were not identified as fast radio bursts.

"We were getting some strange signals that appeared to be coming from very nearby," she said.

Ms Petroff said the source of the signals had now been identified as coming from the facility's kitchen.

"We were actually able to trace them back to the microwave at the Parkes radio telescope site," she said.

She said the strange signals were sent when someone opened the microwave door before the heating process was finished.

"It turns out that you can generate these particular local signals by opening the door of the microwave to stop the microwave, and that produces these weird bursts that we're seeing at Parkes," Ms Petroff said.

"It was kind of a surprise to all of us."