Mysterious never-before-seen deep space radio signal found beyond Milky Way
A group of astronomers has recently identified a groundbreaking radio signal, shedding light on the enigmatic realms of unexplored deep space. Termed as a Fast Radio Burst (FRB), this intense burst of radio energy, lasting mere milliseconds, originates from beyond our own Milky Way galaxy.
In a fresh study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, scientists have uncovered an unprecedentedly active recurring FRB, revealing distinctive behaviors previously unseen. Lead author Sofia Sheikh from California's SETI Institute expressed enthusiasm about their findings, highlighting both the affirmation of known FRB characteristics and the revelation of novel aspects.
During an extensive two-month observation, heikh and her team meticulously tracked 35 instances of FRBs emanating from a solitary source, FRB 12902022A. Their scrutiny unveiled a captivating pattern, diverging from the norm observed in most recurring FRBs.
Contrary to the gradual decrease in frequency typically witnessed in repeating FRBs, FRB 12902022A exhibited an unprecedented variation in pitch, akin to a cosmic slide-whistle effect when converted into an audible representation, resembling the notes of a xylophone. The initial high-pitched notes contrasted starkly with the subsequent low-pitched ones, resembling the repeated striking of a xylophone's lowest note, as reported by scientists at the SETI Institute.
Astronomers have speculated that certain FRBs may stem from a specific type of neutron star known as a magnetar, characterized by extraordinarily potent magnetic fields within the remnants of deceased stars. Despite this narrowing down of potential sources, Sheikh emphasized the inadequacy of current models to comprehensively elucidate all observed FRB properties.
Alternative theories propose the possibility of FRBs originating from the collision of neutron stars or the merging of white dwarfs. Sheikh emphasized that the latest research represents a significant stride towards unraveling the mysteries surrounding FRBs, noting their astonishing energy release, equivalent to that of our Sun over an entire year condensed into a mere fraction of a second.
This ongoing quest to decode the enigmatic nature of Fast Radio Bursts remains an exhilarating frontier in astronomical exploration, promising insights into the most dynamic and energetic events occurring in the farthest reaches of the universe.