Ancient radio signal from a 8-billion-year-old cosmic source has been recently uncovered by astronomers.
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have detected a mysterious object that has been sending radio waves every 21 minutes for an astonishing 45 years. The object, whose true nature remains unknown, was first discovered earlier this year using the Australian SKA Pathfinder radio telescope.
The discovery of this object, which has been named FRB 20220610A, follows the finding of another fast radio burst (FRB) in June 2022. This eight billion-year-old radio signal, with extremely high energy levels, was discovered by an international research team.
Fast radio bursts are believed to result from galaxies merging to create new stars. However, the short length of these bursts makes determining their true nature challenging. The object's consistency in sending radio waves for 45 years adds to the mystery.
According to coauthor Ryan Shannon, more than half of the normal matter in the universe is currently missing, and it is believed to be hiding in the space between galaxies. These bursts could be used to measure the mass of elements in the universe that are found between galaxies and unaccounted for.
The discovery of FRB 20220610A provides a unique opportunity to study these elusive phenomena. The object's radio waves have an energy equivalent to the sun releasing in 30 years, making it one of the most powerful signals ever detected.
Further observation was undertaken using a telescope in China. The fast radio burst discovered was the oldest and most remote example discovered to date, offering a glimpse into the early universe.
Despite the advancements in understanding fast radio bursts, much remains unknown. The location and origin of the object are yet to be determined. The article was originally published on 1 November 2023.
This object is the latest in the series of discovered radio signals, and it is hoped that further study will shed light on the mysterious nature of fast radio bursts and their role in the universe.
