A Radio Signal Repeating Like a Heartbeat in Space

The work of astronomers to explore space does not only focus on our visual perceptions, like the James Webb Space Telescope. Radio signals and different data are also among the topics that researchers focus on.

Among these studies, a radio signal from the depths of space has attracted attention. Because this radio signal can be observed with a certain rhythm and a certain strength, like the regular beating of a heart. Scientists, on the other hand, make an assumption about the source of this signal.

Signal can be detected regularly

According to astronomers, the source of these signals that come regularly is the remains of a long-dead star. The general name of these structures, called pulsars or magnetars, is neutron stars. These structures, which have very high speed and very high density value, are on the verge of becoming a black hole. From time to time, they also emit radio signals into space. These signals are called fast radio bursts.

Although this phenomenon has been known for a very long time, it is because of its duration and rhythm that the new radio waves have attracted so much attention. A very periodic repeating signal every 0.2 seconds reverberated through space for about three seconds. This period is about 1000 times longer than a normal burst of fast radio waves.

Work in this area has also intensified since the first fast radio burst was discovered in 2007. Scientists have now taken FRB 20191221A even more carefully to scrutinize the source of this fast radio wave. The aforementioned radio burst has also been detected by MIT and many other research institutions.

The review of the discovery was published in the journal Nature on July 13, 2022.