What are “Fast Radio Bursts?”

Fast Radio Bursts (FRB) are bright bursts of radio waves that can be created by celestial objects with everchanging magnetic fields with millisecond durations, making them difficult to identify and pinpoint their exact location in the sky. FRB was detected for the first time in 2007.

Overview:

The bursts create a spectrum of radio waves, which spread out or disperse as the waves travel through matter, with bursts at higher radio frequencies arriving at telescopes earlier than those at lower frequencies. Signal degradation can occur due to dispersion, especially over long distances.

What can be learned from the dispersions?

Researchers can understand two crucial things from this dispersion which are that they can use this dispersion to find out more about the materials that radio blasts pass through on their way to Earth. They can also figure out how far apart things are.

What are the origins of Fast Radio Bursts?

FRBs have been discovered in some far regions of the universe, including our own galaxy. Their origins are unknown. The number of fast radio bursts detected so far has doubled due to the CHIME research. Astronomers are hoping to discover the origins of the FRBs soon with more observations.

About CHIME Research

It’s a radio telescope with no moving parts. This telescope was designed to scan the universe’s most abundant element, hydrogen, over a large area of the universe that can be observed. It has a fast scanning speed.

In the National Research Council of Canada’s Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in British Columbia, Canada this telescope is located.

What is the significance of Fast Radio Bursts?

Researchers are hoping that the distinct properties of the FRBs along with their host galaxies combined with technical breakthroughs will help in addressing long-standing questions regarding the universe. FRBs can also be utilized to get knowledge about the early period of the universe’s expansion and evolution and to understand the three–dimensional structure of matter in the universe.

Conclusion

Using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, a group of astronomers from Pune have found the first-ever evidence of a galaxy merger that hosted a Fast Radio Burst.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2022

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs