A team of astronomers has stumbled upon a stunning revelation: an intense burst of radio waves, presumably from the merging of galaxies from about 8 billion years ago. This discovery, made with the help of the Australian SKA Pathfinder and further pinpointed by Chile’s Very Large Telescope, is the oldest instance of a fast radio burst (FRB), outshining most known cosmic radio sources.
FRBs: Brief but Powerful
These short-lived yet powerful radio-frequency electromagnetic radiations are not just cosmic anomalies. As Astronomer Ryan Shannon from Swinburne University of Technology highlighted, the energy from this particular FRB is akin to “microwaving a bowl of popcorn twice the size of the sun.” An intriguing comparison that showcases the immense energy these bursts can produce.
A Journey Through Time
Before this discovery, the most ancient burst was traced back to 5 billion years ago. Given that the universe is roughly 13.8 billion years old, this new finding suggests that FRBs have graced the universe for over half its lifetime, as underscored by Stuart Ryder of Macquarie University.
Origins of the Enigma
Since their discovery in 2007, FRBs have puzzled scientists. The prime suspect? Magnetars, or hyper-magnetized neutron stars – dense remnants of stars. While other intense cosmic events like stellar explosions or black holes exist, FRBs stand out. They emit energy purely in radio waves and do so in incredibly brief signals.
A Cosmic Puzzle
While it’s estimated that the universe experiences a whopping 100,000 FRBs daily, only a fraction have been identified, and an even smaller number have been traced back to their source galaxy. This specific burst’s origin adds another layer to the mystery. The galaxies from the distant past, devoid of the usual spiral arms, makes it challenging to determine if it came from one complex galaxy or several smaller ones potentially merging.
Decoding the Intergalactic Plasma
Beyond the enigma of FRBs, there’s another potential benefit to such discoveries. As these waves traverse the vastness of space, they can indicate the presence of intergalactic plasma. This plasma, composed of extremely hot gas with atoms broken down into subatomic particles, forms a cosmic web between galaxies. For years, this matter has eluded detection, leading many to label it “missing”. Yet, as Shannon notes, these bursts might just be the key to unveiling these hidden cosmic threads.
This discovery not only pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the universe but may also unlock the secrets of the elusive matter weaving through the cosmos.