Astronomers have detected fast-repeating radio bursts from a distant "dead" galaxy that should not contain the energy to produce these types of signals.

Summary

Astronomers have detected fast radio bursts (FRBs) from an ancient “dead” elliptical galaxy 2 billion light-years away, challenging existing theories.

FRBs are typically linked to young, energy-rich stars in star-forming galaxies, but this dormant galaxy contains only old stars.

The bursts, named FRB 20240209A, were identified using the CHIME telescope and pinpointed with the Gemini North telescope.

Researchers suggest the bursts may originate from merging neutron stars.

This discovery could deepen understanding of distant galaxies and the universe’s structure.

  • snooggumsEnglish
    9•11 days ago

    Science!

    Having more information always shows that existing theories and assumptions have exceptions or more complexity that we just had not come across yet.

    • @[email protected]English
      1•10 days ago

      A pet peeve of mine.

      We have had consensus for a while that gravity is caused by the bending of spacetime.

      Fundamental forces are named that way because we can no longer explain them as being caused by something else.

      Gravity and not spacetime is still considered a fundamental force.

      • @not_woody_shawEnglish
        1•10 days ago

        Gravity doesn’t care what a fundamental force is, or who considers it to be one. It just exists. The labels humans put on such things are entirely arbitrary.