Latest news with #FRBs
Sustainability Times
03-07-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'We Finally Found It': Scientists Reveal the Missing Half of the Universe's Matter Was Hiding in Plain Sight All Along
IN A NUTSHELL ✨ Scientists have discovered the universe's missing baryonic matter, solving a decades-long cosmic mystery. have discovered the universe's missing baryonic matter, solving a decades-long cosmic mystery. 🔭 The missing matter was found in the intergalactic medium , a vast network of hot, diffuse gas between galaxies. , a vast network of hot, diffuse gas between galaxies. 📡 Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) were instrumental in detecting this elusive matter through their interaction with free electrons in space. (FRBs) were instrumental in detecting this elusive matter through their interaction with free electrons in space. 🌌 This discovery provides new insights into the evolution of galaxies and the universe's cosmic web structure. The universe has long held a tantalizing mystery: the whereabouts of its missing 'normal' matter, known as baryonic matter. Unlike the elusive dark matter, baryonic matter consists of the tangible materials that build stars, planets, and even ourselves. For decades, cosmological models suggested a certain amount of this matter should exist, yet observable data accounted for only half. Now, through sophisticated observational techniques using fleeting light signals from the universe's edge, researchers believe they have cracked the case. Astonishingly, the missing matter was right between the galaxies all along. The Mystery of Vanishing Baryonic Matter In the realm of cosmic mysteries, the enigma of missing baryonic matter stood apart. This isn't about dark matter, the shadowy substance that doesn't interact with light. Rather, it's about the baryonic matter, the familiar atoms, protons, and neutrons that form the tangible universe. Modern cosmological equations, especially those derived from studying the cosmic microwave background, estimate the universe's total baryonic matter. Yet, astronomers could only trace about half of it, scattered across stars, galactic gas, and clusters. The rest seemed to have vanished into the cosmic void. This conundrum baffled scientists, leading to theories about where this missing matter might reside. The prevailing hypothesis was that it lingered in the vast expanses between galaxies, an area known as the intergalactic medium. However, this matter was elusive, detectable neither by optical nor infrared telescopes. It called for an unconventional method of discovery, one that turned to celestial phenomena as unlikely allies. 'Thousands of Giant Eggs Found': Underwater Volcano Unleashes Terrifying Discovery That Has Marine Scientists in Total Shock The Intergalactic Medium: A Long-Suspected Culprit For years, scientists suspected that the missing baryonic matter resided in the intergalactic medium (IGM), a sprawling network of hot, diffuse gas that forms the cosmic web connecting galaxies. However, detecting this matter proved challenging. The gas was so thinly spread that it eluded optical, infrared, and X-ray telescopes. Scientists needed an indirect method to reveal its presence, and that's where the enigmatic fast radio bursts (FRBs) entered the picture. FRBs are brief but intense radio wave bursts originating from distant galaxies. Despite their fleeting nature—lasting only milliseconds—their energy output rivals the Sun's over several days. As these signals traverse the universe, they interact with free electrons, causing a delay that can be measured. This delay acts like a cosmic sonar, allowing scientists to infer the amount of baryonic matter the signal has passed through, shedding light on the elusive IGM. 'A New Monster From the Abyss': Scientists Stunned as Unknown Deep-Sea Predator Emerges From Earth's Darkest Depths Cosmic Flashes: Scanning the Universe with FRBs First discovered in 2007, fast radio bursts (FRBs) have become invaluable tools for astronomers. These intense radio wave flashes, originating from galaxies millions to billions of light-years away, are brief yet powerful. In just milliseconds, an FRB can release as much energy as the Sun does in several days. Their brevity and energy make them excellent cosmic probes. As FRBs travel across the universe, their signals become dispersed by free electrons encountered along their path. By measuring this dispersion, scientists can calculate the amount of baryonic matter the signal has intersected. This innovative approach effectively uses FRBs as a cosmic radar, mapping the unseen baryonic matter and confirming its presence in the intergalactic medium. This breakthrough reveals a previously hidden aspect of the universe, offering new insights into cosmic structure. 'NASA Sounds the Alarm': Sudden Planet-Wide Disturbance Linked to Mysterious Subterranean Energy Surge Now Spreading Without Warning A Pivotal Observation Campaign Recently, an international research team, led by astrophysicists from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Caltech, analyzed 60 FRBs detected by cutting-edge radio telescopes. These bursts originated from a range of distances, from 11 million to over 9 billion light-years away. By examining their signals, scientists reconstructed the baryonic matter distribution across vast cosmic expanses. The findings were striking: approximately 76% of all baryonic matter resides in the intergalactic medium, as hot, diffuse gas. The rest is distributed among galaxy halos (about 15%) and dense regions like stars or cold clouds. This discovery not only solves a long-standing cosmic puzzle but also provides a clearer understanding of galaxy evolution. It suggests that supernova explosions and supermassive black holes eject significant gas amounts into the IGM, influencing galaxy formation and star production. The groundbreaking discovery of the universe's missing baryonic matter in the intergalactic medium marks a new era in cosmology. It confirms long-held theories and opens new avenues for exploration. As we harness the power of fast radio bursts and next-generation observatories, our understanding of the universe will deepen, unveiling more of its secrets. How will these findings reshape our comprehension of cosmic evolution and the universe's intricate web of matter? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (28)
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Dead NASA satellite inexplicably comes back to life to fire huge pulse that lit up the sky
A NASA satellite that had remained inactive in orbit for nearly six decades suddenly emitted a powerful radio signal, leaving astronomers around the world stunned. The brief but intense signal, detected by radio telescopes in Western Australia, lasted only a fraction of a second yet became the brightest object in the sky, momentarily outshining entire galaxies and stars. The source of this unexpected burst was Relay 2, a communications satellite launched by NASA in 1964. After both of its transmitters failed in 1967, the satellite had been silent and declared defunct until now. Experts believe the signal wasn't deliberately transmitted by the satellite, but was triggered by an external event. One possibility is an electrostatic discharge: a sudden release of electrical energy, similar to a spark, caused by the satellite building up charge as it orbits through Earth's magnetic field. Another theory is that a micrometeoroid, a tiny piece of rock traveling at high speed, struck Relay 2, causing a burst of heat and charged particles that emitted the brief but intense signal. The burst briefly emitted about 400 watts of power, similar to a small microwave oven. The fact that this signal remained that powerful after traveling from space to Earth makes it especially rare. Australian scientists, who were scanning the sky for fast radio bursts (FRBs)—short, high-energy flashes typically originating from deep space—made the startling discovery. According to NASA, FRBs can briefly outshine entire galaxies, a phenomenon that occurs in the blink of an eye. However, this signal was unique: it originated not from a distant galaxy but from within Earth's orbit, just about 2,800 miles above the planet's surface. 'We thought we might've found a new pulsar or a never-before-seen object,' Dr. Clancy James, lead researcher and associate professor at Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy, told New Scientist. 'Instead, we saw an incredibly powerful radio pulse that eclipsed everything else in the sky for a split second.' The burst was detected by the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), a network of 36 radio telescopes. Researchers quickly traced the source to Relay 2, which happened to be passing overhead at that exact moment. Despite lasting only nanoseconds, the radio burst was extraordinarily strong. Scientists estimated its strength at more than three million janskys, a unit used to measure radio wave intensity. That's roughly 100 billion times stronger than the radio signals from your typical smartphone. The shape of the signal was clean and well-defined, allowing scientists to analyze it in detail. Relay 2 was originally launched to improve satellite communication and conduct studies on Earth's radiation belts, areas filled with charged particles trapped by the planet's magnetic field. It carried two transmitters and was designed to spin for stability. But by mid-1967, both transmitters had failed, and the satellite became just another piece of space junk orbiting Earth. At first, researchers thought the detected signal came from a distant cosmic object. But a closer look confirmed it aligned exactly with Relay 2's position in the sky. 'This must have been caused by an external trigger, like an electrostatic discharge or a micrometeorite hit,' Dr. James explained. The burst lasted 1,000 times faster than previous electrostatic signals detected from satellites, which typically last a microsecond (one-millionth of a second). This makes it the fastest and most powerful signal of its kind ever recorded near Earth. While the signal caused a stir in the astronomy world, it also raised concerns. Many telescopes scan the sky for signals from far-off galaxies, and an unexpected burst from a nearby defunct satellite could cause confusion or lead to false discoveries. Still, some scientists see a silver lining. Dr Karen Aplin, a space weather expert at the University of Bristol, said this surprise detection could lead to new tools for studying electrical activity in space. 'It may ultimately offer a new technique to evaluate electrostatic discharges in orbit,' she said.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers just found the universe's ‘missing matter'
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. There's been a lot of discussion over the years about what the universe is made up of. While some argue that dark matter is holding it together, while others argue dark matter doesn't exist, despite us possibly detecting dark matter a time or two. What is more intriguing, though, is that astronomers believe the universe is missing matter, and now they say they've found evidence of it. This matter was considered 'missing' because of how thinly it was spread among the various galaxies and halos of the universe. Because it is so diffuse, it's exceptionally hard to account for. But in a new study published in Nature Astronomy, astronomers from Caltech and the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) say they have detected the matter. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 Additionally, they say that they've thoroughly accounted for all the universe's missing matter. According to a statement shared by Caltech, the researchers relied on fast radio bursts (FRBs) to help illuminate the matter that lies between those distant FRBs and us here on Earth. 'The FRBs shine through the fog of the intergalactic medium, and by precisely measuring how the light slows down, we can weigh that fog, even when it's too faint to see,' Liam Connor, an assistant professor at Harvard and lead author on the new study explained. In total, the team looked at 69 FRBs, ranging in distance from around 11.74 million to 9.1 billion light-years away from us. FRB 20230521B, which is located 9.1 billion light-years away, is now the most distant FRB ever recorded. Despite having detected more than a thousand FRBs, we've only managed to pinpoint around one hundred or so to their specific host galaxies. Other attempts to detect the missing matter had only hinted at its existence hiding among the holes and halos of the universe. However, by relying on the FRBs, the researchers were able to find evidence of the matter. These findings will help us better understand the universe and how galaxies grow. They could also help us unravel some of the greatest mysteries of the early universe, including how the universe expanded has expanded so quickly since the Big Bang. And researchers say this is just the beginning of the use of FRBs in cosmology. A future radio telescope from Caltech will help find and localize up to 10,000 FRBs per year, which should dramatically enhance our understanding of these distant radio bursts. More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Invisible no more: Scientists map 76% of ordinary matter lost between galaxies
For years, the universe held onto a secret that left cosmologists half of the universe's ordinary matter, responsible for building everything from protons and stars to planets and people, has remained elusive due to its diffuse nature. Scientists had considered it 'missing'—until now.' Now, in a breakthrough study, astronomers from Caltech and the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) have managed to directly detect this missing matter using fast radio bursts (FRBs)—brief, powerful flashes of radio waves originating from distant galaxies. These cosmic signals, lasting just milliseconds, serve as precise probes, lighting up the otherwise invisible intergalactic medium. As these FRBs travel billions of light-years to reach Earth, they pass through clouds of ionized gas between galaxies. The radio waves slow down ever so slightly depending on how much matter they encounter along the way. By measuring this delay, known as dispersion, scientists can calculate the amount of invisible matter in the FRBs' path. "The FRBs shine through the fog of the intergalactic medium, and by precisely measuring how the light slows down, we can weigh that fog, even when it's too faint to see," says Liam Connor, assistant professor at Harvard and lead author of the study. The study analyzed 69 well-localized FRBs, each with a host galaxy and known distance. One of the FRBs studied, dubbed FRB 20230521B, is located a staggering 9.1 billion light-years away, making it the most distant fast radio burst ever recorded. Although astronomers have detected over a thousand FRBs to date, only around a hundred have been accurately traced back to their host galaxies. This localization is crucial, as knowing both the origin and distance of an FRB is essential for using it to map the matter it passed through, making these select few key to the current study. Of these, 39 were discovered using the Deep Synoptic Array (DSA)-110, a network of 110 radio antennas in California designed specifically to detect and pinpoint FRBs. The remaining FRBs came from global observatories, including Australia's Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. Instruments at Hawaii's W. M. Keck Observatory and the Palomar Observatory near San Diego helped determine the distance to each FRB's host galaxy. Their findings confirm that roughly 76 percent of ordinary matter resides in the intergalactic medium, thinly spread across space. Another 15 percent lies in gaseous halos surrounding galaxies, while only a small fraction is found inside galaxies themselves, in stars, or cold galactic gas."It's like we're seeing the shadow of all the baryons, with FRBs as the backlight," said Vikram Ravi, assistant professor of astronomy at Caltech. "If you see a person in front of you, you can find out a lot about them. But if you just see their shadow, you still know that they're there and roughly how big they are." This distribution of matter aligns with predictions made by advanced cosmological simulations but has never been confirmed observationally—until now. The findings also open new avenues for probing fundamental physics. For instance, they may help determine the mass of subatomic particles called neutrinos. While the standard model of particle physics assumes neutrinos have no mass, real-world observations suggest otherwise. Knowing their precise mass could unlock physics beyond current theories. According to Ravi, this is just the beginning for FRBs in cosmology. A new project, Caltech's DSA-2000 radio telescope, currently in development for the Nevada desert, is expected to localize up to 10,000 FRBs each year—dramatically expanding their role in probing the universe's structure. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, was funded by the National Science Foundation.
Economic Times
17-06-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
This is how astronomers have found universe's missing ordinary matter
Astronomers have used fast radio bursts (FRBs) to locate the universe's missing ordinary matter. This matter had not been detected before because it was too spread out. Using 69 FRBs, the team measured matter between galaxies. Their findings agree with predictions and may help map the universe's evolution. An artist's conception depicts warm, thin gas in a vast region between galaxies - called the intergalactic medium, in this handout illustration image obtained by REUTERS. Blue highlights denser regions of the cosmic web, transitioning to redder light for void areas. Courtesy of Jack Madden, IllustrisTNG, Ralf Konietzka, Liam Connor/CfA/Handout via REUTERS/Illustration Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Ordinary Matter Hidden in Space FRBs Reveal Matter in Intergalactic Medium Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Observations and Measurements Findings FAQs Scientists have used fast radio bursts FRBs ) to detect normal matter that was previously missing from the universe. This matter is not dark matter but baryonic matter made of years, scientists searched for ordinary matter that should exist in the universe. This matter is not dark matter, which does not interact with light. Instead, it is normal atomic matter, also known as baryonic matter. It was missing from observation because it was thinly spread between matter lies in two main places. Some of it floats in the space between galaxies. The rest surrounds galaxies in large cloud-like halos. Until now, it could not be detected directly with used fast radio bursts (FRBs) to locate this matter. FRBs are very short but powerful radio signals. They are produced far away in space. Some last only milliseconds but release as much energy as the sun does in these bursts travel through space, they pass through matter. That matter slows the signal. Scientists used this delay to measure how much material lies in the path. This method works even when the matter is too faint to see team used 69 FRBs with known distances from Earth. These signals came from as far as 9.1 billion light-years away. Most of these bursts were detected using a network of 110 radio telescopes at Caltech's Owens Valley Radio in Hawaii and California helped measure how far the FRBs had traveled. Other bursts were found by Australia's ASKAP telescope network, which is good at locating team found that 76% of ordinary matter is in the space between galaxies. About 15% is in halos around galaxies. The rest, about 9%, is inside galaxies. These results match what earlier computer models had discovery helps scientists understand how galaxies form and grow. Future tools like the DSA-2000 telescope may detect more FRBs and improve these are short bursts of radio waves that release large amounts of energy. They last milliseconds and come from distant parts of the found most missing matter in the intergalactic medium and galaxy halos using fast radio bursts as a detection tool.
