A strange radio blast from deep space detected in 2022 has finally been traced back to its source.
The source is a super-dense neutron star with an intense magnetic field, located 200 million light-years away.
These signals, known as fast radio bursts (FRBs), last just milliseconds but can momentarily outshine entire galaxies.
Despite thousands of detections since 2007, their origins have remained a mystery—until now.
The Study
A new study published in Nature focused on FRB 20221022A, revealing that it likely emerged from a neutron star’s magnetosphere.
“The magnetic fields here are at the very limits of what the universe can produce,” said lead researcher Kenzie Nimmo.
The findings confirm that these ultra-intense stars, called magnetars, can unleash powerful bursts of energy.
Scientists have long debated whether such extreme environments could even allow radio waves to escape.
Now, researchers have proof that energy stored in the star’s magnetic field can twist and reconfigure, sending signals across the cosmos.
