Canadian researchers have received strange signals from deep space with a radio telescope. You can only speculate regarding the source.
An unusual radio signal from a galaxy far, far away has puzzled astronomers. The signal was discovered by a group of Canadian and US researchers using the Chime radio telescope in western Canada. Scientists use the instrument to search for so-called fast radio bursts – extremely high-energy radiation bursts that, according to current knowledge, last a few milliseconds at most. The signal now received, however, lasted more than three seconds, i.e. around 1,000 times longer than usual – and that is not the only special feature of the discovery.
“Within those three seconds, there were spikes of radiation that occurred with impressive regularity every few milliseconds,” says MIT astronomer Daniele Michilli. “Like a heartbeat, thump, thump, thump. It’s the first time we’ve received such a recurring signal.” The signal traveled several billion light years on its way to Earth, and the researchers can only speculate regarding its source.
Radio signal might help measure the universe
“There aren’t many objects in the universe that regularly emit recurring signals,” explains Daniele Michilli. “For example, we know from our galaxy pulsars and magnetars, which rotate very quickly and emit bundled radiation like a lighthouse. This new signal might therefore come from a hyperactive pulsar or magnetar.” The researchers now hope to receive more regular signals from the source. The signals might work like clockwork and help astronomers, for example, to precisely measure the expansion of the universe.
“This discovery raises the question of where exactly this signal comes from and how we can use it for further space exploration,” says Daniele Michilli. “In the future, telescopes might pick up thousands of rapid radio bursts every month, and then we’ll find many more of these regularly recurring signals.”
