An article published in Science reveals the discovery of the most distant fast radio burst (FRB) ever detected. These bursts, which are intense flashes of radiation that last for a fraction of a second, have been a source of fascination for astronomers due to their unknown cause and their potential to study other aspects of the cosmos.
The newly discovered FRB, known as FRB 20220610A, is an 8-billion-year-old pulse that has been traveling for more than half the lifetime of the universe. This finding was made possible by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope.
Fast radio bursts provide a unique tool for studying the “cosmic web” of matter that exists between galaxies. This matter, which is made up of hot, diffuse gas, slows down the bursts as they pass through it. By measuring the degree of slowing, astronomers can determine the distance the bursts have traveled.
In 2020, analysis of fast radio bursts revealed that the cosmic web contains more than half of the normal matter in the universe, which was previously thought to be “missing.”
The discovery of more distant and extreme fast radio bursts holds the promise of revealing further secrets about the universe. Astronomers are actively searching for these bursts using telescopes like ASKAP. The recent detection of FRB 20220610A suggested it might be the most distant ever found, but further investigation was needed to confirm its origin.
To search for the host galaxy of FRB 20220610A, astronomers turned to the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. Initial images revealed faint smudges of light that resembled a distant galaxy. Analysis of the spectrum of light from the galaxy confirmed that FRB 20220610A was emitted over 8 billion years ago when the universe was less than half its present age.
This discovery pushes the limits of what we know about fast radio bursts. The burst has the most energy of any that has been pinpointed to a location, approaching what we believe are fundamental physical limits. It also demonstrates the potential for fast radio bursts to study the composition and structure of distant galaxies.
As new and upgraded telescopes join the hunt for fast radio bursts, more bursts are likely to be tracked down to their host galaxies. The future development of ultra-sensitive radio telescopes, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), will enable detections at even greater distances and provide valuable insights into the structure of the universe.
