The origin of Fast Radio Bursts

Source: The post is based on the article “Do dead stars crash with the light of 500 million suns?” published in The Hindu on 28th June 2023

What is the News?

Astrophysicists have developed a new theory about the origin of fast radio bursts (FRBs). 

What are Fast Radio Bursts(FRBs)?

FRBs are bright bursts of radio waves that blaze for a few milliseconds before vanishing without a trace.

The first FRB was spotted in 2007. Since then, scientists have spotted more than 600 of these in their telescopes.

However, their origins are still unknown, and their appearance is highly unpredictable.

What is the present theory on the origin of these Fast Radio Bursts(FRBs)?

​​One of the leading theories developed to explain the origin of Fast Radio Bursts(FRBs) is that they are caused by magnetars, a type of slowly rotating neutron star. 

Unfortunately, there has been no way to prove whether the theory is correct.

What is the new theory developed by researchers to explain the origin of Fast Radio Bursts(FRBs)?

Researchers have said that FRBs could be triggered by a collision between two neutron stars and are released just before they crash into each other. 

This impact could set off two different kinds of signals: wrinkles in space-time called gravitational waves and FRBs.

What is the significance of this study?

This theory will help in explaining the intense radio light ‘seen’ in the host galaxies of some FRBs. Some astronomers attribute this radio light to the glow around high energy events, such as a gigantic black hole at the center of the galaxy, devouring stars.

These findings will also help in the study of gravitational waves, which were first observed in 2015.

Moreover, the upcoming space-based gravitational wave detector Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) could provide further insights into these high-energy cosmic events and the structure of the universe.