Researchers have sighted only a handful of these odd radio circles, and are trying to pin down what causes them
Astronomers have captured a close-up image of a rare and mysterious space object, prompting a renewed push to discover its origin. Odd radio circles are gigantic rings of radio waves. Only five have ever been sighted, and never in such spectacular detail.
“This discovery will start new scientific research among astronomers,” says Alice Pasetto, a radio astronomer at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City. The first three ORCs, including ORC1, were discovered using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder telescope in 2019. A fourth was identified in archival data from India’s Giant MetreWave Radio Telescope in 2013, and a fifth was discovered by Koribalski in newer ASKAP data last year. Most of the ORCs have a galaxy at their centre, which astronomers suggest might have something to do with their creation.
The second theory is that they result from the activities of an active galactic nucleus, with radio jets spewing particles to create the ORC’s shape. The third theory is that ORCs are shells caused by starbursts in the centre of their galaxies. “Like a detective, we’re gathering more and more clues as to what this object possibly could be,” says Koribalski.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How a Lost Apollo Rocket Returned to EarthAn amateur astronomer’s discovery kicked off a Space Age detective story.
Read more »
Leaked Details of the Lapsus$ Hack Make Okta’s Slow Response Look More BizarreLeaked documents shed some light on how Okta and its subprocessor Sitel reacted to a recent breach, but they don’t explain the apparent lack of urgency.
Read more »
Ripple Identified as 'Opportunity in Payments' Alongside Circle by Goldman SachsRipple is seen as 'opportunity in payments' together with Circle by Goldman Sachs Ripplearmy RippleNet XRPArmy XRP XRPHolders XRPCommunity
Read more »
Ranking the Oakland A’s best trade candidates (and predictions for when players will go)The Oakland A’s aren’t hiding their intentions. Former ace Chris Bassitt is in camp with the Mets, three-time Gold Glove Award winner Matt Chapman is a Blue Jay and All-Star Matt Olson …
Read more »
Lowrie returns to Oakland A’s hoping to surprise againLowrie struggled at second base last season and was seen taking groundballs at first base Saturday.
Read more »
Inside Ukraine’s Crypto Donation CampaignUkraine’s impressive crypto donation campaign has spotlighted the power of borderless money. kim_bzk joins “Opinionated” with btschiller and realDannyNelson to explain how Ukraine got started with crypto donations.
Read more »