A team of astronomers has detected fast-repeating radio bursts originating from a distant 'dead' galaxy, a finding that contradicts current understanding about the energy sources of these mysterious signals.
Astronomers have made a startling discovery: fast-repeating radio bursts originating from a distant 'dead' galaxy, a finding that defies current understanding of these energetic signals. Fast radio bursts (FRBs), brief flashes of radio waves lasting mere milliseconds, have been primarily linked to young, energetic neutron stars forming within galaxies. However, the galaxy emitting these FRBs, designated FRB 20240209A, is an ancient elliptical galaxy containing only old, inactive stars.
This contradicts the prevailing theory that FRBs originate from regions of active star formation. Vishwangi Shah, a PhD student at McGill University, explained to ABC News that astronomers expect FRBs to be generated within galaxies, specifically in areas where new stars are actively being created. The energy required to produce FRBs is substantial, and these bursts have been consistently found near these star-forming regions. FRB 20240209A's location outside the massive, ancient galaxy, devoid of young stars, presents a significant enigma.Using the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) telescope, researchers detected multiple bursts emanating from the same location. However, CHIME's limited precision prevented pinpointing the exact source. To overcome this, they combined CHIME data with a smaller, CHIME-like telescope, narrowing down the FRB's location. Further confirmation came from the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, which captured images of the region, confirming that the FRB was indeed associated with the ancient elliptical galaxy and not any nearby galaxies.The discovery of FRB 20240209A challenges existing theories about the origin of these enigmatic radio bursts. Current hypotheses suggest that FRBs might be produced by merging or collapsing neutron stars, remnants of supernova explosions. This outlier finding opens new avenues for research, prompting scientists to re-evaluate their understanding of FRB generation and explore alternative mechanisms. Further study of these bursts will not only shed light on the nature of FRBs themselves but also provide valuable insights into the space between our galaxy, the Milky Way, and distant regions of the universe
FAST RADIO BURSTS ASTRONOMY GALAXIES NEUTRON STARS SPACE EXPLORATION
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