‘After 8 billion years’: Mysterious radio signal reaches Earth and scientists are trying to decipher it
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Distant Radio Signal Detected
A powerful burst of radio waves, named FRB 20220610A, has reached Earth after traveling through space for 8 billion years, making it one of the most distant and energetic fast radio bursts (FRBs) ever recorded.
Nature of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)
FRBs are brief, intense flashes of radio waves lasting milliseconds. Their origins are still uncertain, with possible sources ranging from neutron stars to other exotic cosmic objects.
Credit : NASA
FRB 20220610A’s Scientific Significance
This discovery offers scientists a rare opportunity to explore the universe’s distant past. The signal’s distance suggests it came from a galaxy far beyond the Milky Way, allowing a glimpse into ancient cosmic events.
Research Led by Dr. Stuart Ryder
Dr. Stuart Ryder from Macquarie University is leading the investigation into FRB 20220610A. The team aims to uncover the origins of these mysterious bursts and gather insights into the universe’s fundamental processes.
Pinpointing the Burst’s Origin
Using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), astronomers were able to accurately trace the source of the FRB. The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope confirmed that the burst originated from an old, distant galaxy.
Potential to Help Solve Cosmic Mysteries
FRBs like this one may assist in understanding the universe’s “missing matter”—normal matter that should exist but hasn’t been directly observed. This burst supports the idea that FRBs can help trace matter between galaxies.
Confirmation of the Macquart Relation
The detection of FRB 20220610A further confirms the “Macquart relation,” a method developed in 2020 that uses FRBs to trace ionized material and hidden matter throughout the universe.
FRBs as a Tool for Measuring the Universe
FRBs have the potential to help solve the puzzle of missing cosmic matter. Their ability to detect electrons in space allows scientists to measure matter in otherwise unobservable regions between galaxies.