Since the discovery of the first fast radio signal in 2007, scientists have struggled to understand mysterious signals from space – strange flashes of radio waves coming from extremely distant locations.
These signals, known as FRBs, display different patterns, some emitting at regular intervals, while others emit powerful flashes that illuminate terrestrial radio antennas for short milliseconds.
Some of these fast radio bursts emit as much energy in fractions of a second as the Sun some days. A recent signal, pulsating every 20 minutes since 1988, has piqued the interest of astronomers.
The most recently discovered FRB, called FRB 20220912A, adds to the mystery. Observed using the SETI Institute's Allen Telescope Array, this signal has unique characteristics. Unlike previous fast radio bursts, the signal attenuates at the center frequency of the bursts, creating an effect similar to a “heavenly whistle.”
The research team monitored 35 explosions coming from one source over a period of two months. Despite efforts, it was not possible to identify a regular pattern between the explosions.
These discoveries, although mysterious, could help scientists improve their understanding of this celestial phenomenon and identify potential patterns in future observations.
Fast radio bursts are still the subject of speculation about their origin. One theory suggests that these signals may result from the magnetized remains of collapsed stars, which emit radio waves like cosmic beacons.
Researcher Sofia Sheikh, from the SETI Institute, expressed her enthusiasm for the work, stressing that it confirms the known properties of fast radio bursts and reveals new properties. The challenge remains to find a comprehensive explanation that justifies all the observed characteristics of these ambiguous signals.
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