A New Discovery: Unveiling an Unseen Anomaly in Enigmatic Fast Radio Bursts
Astronomers uncover enigmatic patterns in elusive fast radio bursts, deepening the mystery surrounding these celestial phenomena
Subscribe to CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter and delve into the universe with updates on captivating discoveries, scientific progress, and more. The enigma of fast radio bursts, brief bursts of radio waves in outer space, has just taken an even more peculiar turn.
Since its discovery in 2007, hundreds of fast radio bursts (FRBs) have been detected originating from far-reaching locations in the universe. These intense events can produce as much energy in a thousandth of a second as the sun does in a year or more, but their cause remains a mystery to astronomers.
Scientists have observed an unprecedented, peculiar pattern in a recently discovered repeating fast radio burst known as FRB 20220912A. The findings, detailed in a study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on Wednesday, offer important insights for researchers trying to determine the origin of these phenomena while also presenting new mysteries to solve.
The burst was detected by astronomers using the Allen Telescope Array, operated by the SETI Institute in California. This array consists of 42 antennae located at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory in the Cascade Mountains.
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Over a two-month period, the team discovered 35 fast radio bursts originating from a single source. Fast radio bursts, which typically only last a few milliseconds before vanishing, are notoriously challenging to study. However, there have been cases of repeated bursts that have enabled astronomers to track the signals back to far-off galaxies.
Initially, FRB 20220912A appeared to be like other familiar "repeaters," with each burst transitioning from higher to lower frequencies. However, a more detailed analysis of the signal uncovered a unique characteristic: a distinct decrease in the central frequency of the bursts, resembling a cosmic slide whistle.
The researchers made the dip even more noticeable by translating the signals into sounds using notes on a xylophone. The high notes represented the start of the bursts, while the low notes signaled their end.
The team attempted to identify any pattern in the timing between each burst, akin to other known repeating fast radio bursts. However, they were unable to find one for FRB 20220912A, indicating that these celestial events may also be unpredictable.
Dr. Sofia Sheikh, the lead study author and a National Science Foundation MPS-Ascend postdoctoral fellow at the SETI Institute, expressed her excitement about the work, stating that it confirmed known FRB properties while also uncovering new ones.
Every fast radio burst observation not only provides new insights but also raises additional questions, according to the researchers.
Astronomers believe that some fast radio bursts could be coming from magnetars, which are highly magnetized cores of dead stars. However, other studies have proposed that collisions between dense neutron stars or white dwarfs could also be responsible.
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"Sheikh stated that while the source of FRBs is being narrowed down to extreme objects like magnetars, there is no model that can fully explain all observed properties. This study, the first to observe fast radio bursts using the Allen Telescope Array, comes after years of refurbishment. The ongoing upgrades will not only enable astronomers to track the behavior of fast radio bursts at different frequencies, but also to search for fainter signals."
"This work proves that new telescopes with unique capabilities, like the ATA, can provide a new angle on outstanding mysteries in FRB science," Sheikh said.
