Science, Space and Technology News 2024
Recent observations by NASA’s X-ray telescopes have provided unprecedented insights into fast radio bursts , powerful and brief cosmic events that have puzzled astronomers. By studying a fast radio burst from a magnetar within our galaxy, scientists have advanced our understanding of these phenomena, revealing rapid changes in magnetar behavior that could explain how FRBs are generated. Credit: SciTechDaily.
What’s causing mysterious bursts of radio waves from deep space? Astronomers may be a step closer to providing one answer to that question. TwoX-ray telescopes recently observed one such event – known as a fast radio burst – mere minutes before and after it occurred. This unprecedented view sets scientists on a path to better understand these extreme radio events.
The burst occurred between two “glitches,” when the magnetar suddenly started spinning faster. SGR 1935+2154 is estimated to be about 12 miles across and spinning about 3.2 times per second, meaning its surface was moving at about 7,000 mph . Slowing it down or speeding it up would require a significant amount of energy.
If the initial glitch caused a crack in the magnetar’s surface, it might have released material from the star’s interior into space like a volcanic eruption. Losing mass causes spinning objects to slow down, so the researchers think this could explain the magnetar’s rapid deceleration.But having observed only one of these events in real time, the team still can’t say for sure which of these factors might lead to the production of a fast radio burst.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NASA Telescopes Find New Clues About Mysterious Deep Space SignalsUsing two of the agency’s X-ray telescopes, researchers were able to zoom in on a dead star’s erratic behavior as it released a bright, brief burst of radio
Read more »
NASA Expedition 71 Astronauts to Conduct Research aboard Space StationStudies of neurological organoids, plant growth, and shifts in body fluids are among the scientific investigations that NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick,
Read more »
NASA’s Hubble space telescope reveals a galactic ‘string of pearls’Laura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma.
Read more »
NASA’s New Experimental Antenna Tracks Deep Space LaserCapable of receiving both radio frequency and optical signals, the DSN’s hybrid antenna has tracked and decoded the downlink laser from DSOC, aboard NASA’s
Read more »
Why Go to Space - NASAAt NASA, we explore the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all, creating new opportunities and inspiring the world through discovery.
Read more »