Scientists Shed Light on Mysterious Cosmic Phenomenon with New Study
Scientists from the Seti Institute have recently published new results of a study on Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), a mysterious cosmic phenomenon. The study focused specifically on the repeating FRB 20220912A and utilized the modernized radio telescope known as the Allen Telescope Array (ATA). These findings provide additional insights into the nature of these enigmatic signals from the cosmos.
FRBs are brief but powerful bursts of radio waves originating from deep space. While most FRBs are only detected once, there are some that repeat, adding further intrigue to attempts to understand their origin.
“This work is significant as it simultaneously confirms well-known properties of FRBs and reveals new ones,” says Dr. Sofia Sheikh, the leading author of the study. “We have narrowed down the possible sources of FRBs to extreme objects like magnetars. However, none of the existing models have fully explained all the observed features.”
During 541 hours of observation, the team of scientists recorded 35 bursts from FRB 20220912A using the ATA radio telescope. The analysis covered a wide range of radio frequencies and uncovered fascinating patterns.
All 35 bursts were detected in the lower part of the spectrum, each exhibiting its own unique energy signature. Additionally, the signals demonstrated a decrease in frequency over time, a correlation between the width of the burst and the central frequency, and a variation in burst duration.
The team also made an unexpected observation during the two-month study. They noticed a noticeable decrease in the central frequency of the bursts, similar to a “cosmic whistle” effect where the frequency decreases and creates a sound similar to a declining whistle.
The scientists also used the data to determine the brightness threshold of the most intense bursts from FRB 20220912A. Interestingly, they found that this particular object accounted for a few percent of all strong radio bursts observed in the sky during the study. Furthermore, the researchers analyzed temporal patterns within sequences of bursts in an attempt to identify repeated patterns, both within individual FRBs and between different bursts. However, no clear recurring patterns were found, highlighting the unpredictability and mystery surrounding these phenomena.
The ATA played a crucial role in the study of FRBs. Its unique ability to simultaneously record a large number of frequency channels, even if they are significantly different from one another, allows for instant analysis of FRBs at various frequencies. Ongoing modernization efforts promise to expand the observatory’s capabilities, enabling it to detect even fainter FRBs across a wider range of frequencies.