The earth is Constantly receive space signals that contain vital information on energy energy phenomena. Among the most particular are brief impulses of high -energy radio waves, known as rapid radio (FRB). Astronomers buy them in a powerful lighthouse that shines for milliseconds in the middle of a rough and distant sea. The detection of one of these signals is a realization in itself, but identifying its origin and underlining the nature of its source remains one of the great challenges of science.
This is why recent research by the Northwestern University in the United States has captured the attention of the astronomical community. The team not only detected one of the brightest FRB ever recorded, but also traced its origin with unprecedented precision.
The pulse, identified as RBFLOAT, arriving in March 2025, lasted only a few milliseconds and reread as much energy as the sun produced in four days. Thanks to a new method of analysis, the researchers have located its origin in an arm of a spiral galaxy located at 130 million Lights-Yars, in the direction of the Constellation of Ursa Major. Research was published in the journal Astrophysical newspaper letters.
Tea Carillon RadioTelescope in Canada, one of the main observers of the FRB in the world, and a subnet of the Lonterler station called Outriggers detected the abnormal explosion. The chime characterized the signal, while the stabilizers triangulated it in a narrow area of space. The optical and X -rays telescopes then provided additional data. The team has reached a precision of 13 parsecs, equivalent to 42 light, with the Galaxy NGC 4141.
Astronomers had previously identified, other FRB, but in these cases, the signals were repeated, which made the analysis easier. “RBFLOAT was the first unrepeated source located on such precision,” said Sunil Simha, co-author of the study, in a university statement. “These are much more difficult to locate. Thus, even the detection of RBFLOAT is proof of concept that the chime is indeed capable of detecting such an event and of building in a statistically interesting sample of frbs.”
What caused the RBFLOAT?
Scientists still do not know what causes RBFs, but they have some ideas. Due to the enormous energy they release and the brevity of the phenomenon, it is likely that they come from extreme cosmic events, such as neutron stars, magnetars or pulsars.
In the case of RBFLOAT, the date indicated that it is located in a region of star formation with truly massive stars. The triangulation places the signal in a galactic arm where new stars are also being born. This suggests that it is a magnetar, a subclass of neutron star with a magnetic field of billions of times stronger than that of the earth.
Experience with RBFLOAT altera the team to apply the same triangulation technique to future signals. The authors believe that they can obtain approximately 200 Precise RBF detections for the year with just the carillon hoods of the signals.
“For years, we know that the FRB occurs throughout the sky, but pinning them has been carefully slow. Now we can roll them to attach them to specific galaxies, even towards the districts of these galaxies,” said Yuxin Dong, another member of the team.
This story initially looked at Wired in Español and was translated from Spanish.
