25 Mysterious Signals From Space Collected With New Algorithm

Signals from outer space have been challenging scientists since they were first discovered in 2007. the so-called Fast Radio Bursts (English abbreviation FRBs) these are pulses of high-energy and short-duration radio waves, possibly originating from distant galaxies, but still with no identified cause.

Now, astronomers and astrophysicists from Canada, the United States, Australia, Taiwan and India participating in the CHIME/FRB Collaboration have presented the discovery of 25 new recurrent sources. Events detected between September 30, 2019 and May 1, 2021 were found through a new clustering algorithm, and doubled the already known publisher population.

According to the doctor. According to Ziggy Pleunis, a postdoctoral researcher at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics and corresponding author of the publication, this clustering algorithm “does multiple checks to make sure the explosions in a cluster are actually coming from the same source.”

What discoveries were made with the new algorithm?

In addition to the 25 new FRB sources detected with the help of the new algorithm, the Hydrogen Density Mapping Experiment team in Canada (initials CHIME) has observed some crucial details that could provide insight into the causes and characteristics of these phenomena. hitherto unexplained

“When we carefully count all our fast radio bursts and repetitive sources, we found that only about 2.6% of all FRBs we discovered were repetitive“, says Pleunis Universe Today. Most of the new sources identified had a few hits that made them “quite ineffective”.

Anyway, the University of Toronto researcher explains that even repeaters with only one pulse detected cannot be beat, as new eruptions may occur in the future. The aim of the study is also to “explain why some sources are hyperactive while others remain silent”..

How important is the new study?

In a press release, Pleunis summarizes: “We can now accurately calculate the probability of two or more explosions coming from similar locations. not just a coincidence”.

Published April 26 in The Astrophysical Journal, new study suggests radio and multiwave monitoring of all newly introduced sources, from 14 new candidates mainly for repeaters.

As for those posted earlier, the CHIMES/FRB online page has been updated and shows in real time repeaters that have had at least one pulse in the last ten days.