The origin of one of the most mystifying phenomenon in the universe of discourse is becoming clearer . The phenomenon is a repeating profligate radio fit ( FRB ) , an vivid emission of radio wave that go milliseconds , a one of a kind event . Only 24 FRBs have been observed and only this one , FRB 121102 , has been repeating .
The fact that it keep repeating has allowed astronomers to study this event like no other FRB . They were able to confidentlyplace its originwithin the hotshot - forming part of a gnome galaxy 3 billion wakeful - years from Earth . Researchers were also able to start work out that a neutron star was likely do it , and now thanks to new observations , an international squad has narrow down it down to just a few hypotheses .
As report inNature , FRB 121102 is make by a neutron star surrounded by a strong magnetic subject field . The researchers indicate that this field could be either produce by a monolithic black gob ingesting material or by magnetized fart within a nebula or supernova remnant . This speculation comes from observations advise the radio emission was polarize due to the magnetic field . magnetised fields can twist light emissions and the stiff the theater , the orotund the twist .
“ The only known rootage in the Milky Way that are twist as much as FRB 121102 are in the Galactic sum , which is a dynamical region near a monumental black hole . mayhap FRB 121102 is in a interchangeable environment in its innkeeper galaxy , ” hint writer Daniele Michilli , from ASTRON , read in an emailed command . “ However , the spin of the radio burst could also be explicate if the source is situate in a powerful nebula or supernova remnant . ”
This novel reason of the reference amount from combining observation at the Arecibo Observatory and observations at evenhigher frequenciesfrom the Breakthrough Listen project at the Green Bank Telescope .
" The polarisation properties and shapes of these bursts are similar to radio receiver emission from youthful , gumptious neutron maven in our galaxy , " add up atomic number 27 - author Andrew Seymour , from the Arecibo Observatory . " This provide support to the model that the wireless flare-up are make by a neutron star . ”
The team will continue to monitor FRB 121102 in the Bob Hope of determining which scenario is more likely , the black hollow or the highly magnetised nebula .
" If we study the property of that beginning in more detail ( for instance essay to note with high resolution , reckon to see if it is changing in brightness with time , whether that other beginning is also polarise , etc . ) then we can hope to close whether it represents an accreting black hole or a nebula , " older author Jason Hessels , also from ASTRON , told IFLScience .
FRB 121102 is a singular receiving set burst , but this research might allow us to understand all FRBs better .