Astronomers detect mysterious signal coming from nearby galaxy

In a new study published in The Astrophysical Journal, a single telescope has achieved a remarkable feat by simultaneously detecting a fast radio burst (FRB) and slow-moving, star-forming gas within a nearby spiral galaxy. The discovery was made possible by the CSIRO's ASKAP radio telescope (Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder).

FRBs, incredibly powerful pulses of radio waves, were first detected in 2007 and have been traced back to distant galaxies. Typically lasting only a few milliseconds, the intense signals have puzzled astronomers for years. Despite their extraordinary brightness, these bursts are incredibly transient - disappear in much less than the blink of an eye - making it difficult for many radio telescopes to accurately to pinpoint their precise location.

Without this crucial information, studying the galaxies in which FRBs are found becomes a formidable task. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge about the environments in which FRBs are formed hinders our ability to unravel the mysteries surrounding them.

ASKAP, made up of an array of 36 dishes, can detect FRBs and pinpoint them to their host galaxies. The powerful telescope can in fact perform its FRB search at the same time as observations for other science surveys.

During a recent observation for a survey aimed at mapping the star-forming gas in galaxies across the Southern sky, ASKAP detected both - an FRB coming from a spiral galaxy much like our own Milky Way, as well as the cold neutral hydrogen gas surrounding it. This is the first simultaneous detection of these rarely overlapping occurrences, which showcases the strength and versatility of ASKAP.

According to the researchers, the host galaxy's environment, in this specific FRB, appears unexpectedly serene. This discovery raises the need for additional studies to determine whether disturbed gas environments are commonly associated with FRBs or if distinct scenarios exist - and potentially multiple pathways.

More details can be found here.