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Astronomers May Be Closing in on Source of Mysterious Fast Radio Bursts (theguardian.com)
Astronomers appear to be closing in on the source of enigmatic radio pulses emanating from space that have become the subject of intense scientific speculation. From a new report: Previous candidates for the origin of the fleeting blasts of radiation -- known as fast radio bursts, or FRBs -- have included exploding stars, the reverberations of weird objects called cosmic strings or even distant beacons from interstellar alien spaceships. Now, new observations provide backing for a scenario involving a rapidly rotating neutron star cocooned by an ultra-powerful magnetic field. The explanation is more orthodox than some of the alternatives offered, but could point astronomers towards some of the most extreme magnetic environments in the known universe.
"Our preferred model is that they are coming from a neutron star ... that could be just 10 or 20 years old in an extreme magnetic environment," said Jason Hessels, a co-author of the new paper and astronomer at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy in the Dutch town of Dwingeloo. Fast radio bursts have perplexed astronomers ever since the signals were discovered in 2007 in earlier observation data from the Parkes radio telescope in Australia. About 30 of these objects have been discovered deep in space since the first was detected, all but one burping out a cataclysmic radio pulse exactly once and then disappearing into the night. Only one burster, known as FRB121102, after the date it was discovered (Nov. 2, 2012), has repeated itself, hundreds of times now.
"Our preferred model is that they are coming from a neutron star ... that could be just 10 or 20 years old in an extreme magnetic environment," said Jason Hessels, a co-author of the new paper and astronomer at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy in the Dutch town of Dwingeloo. Fast radio bursts have perplexed astronomers ever since the signals were discovered in 2007 in earlier observation data from the Parkes radio telescope in Australia. About 30 of these objects have been discovered deep in space since the first was detected, all but one burping out a cataclysmic radio pulse exactly once and then disappearing into the night. Only one burster, known as FRB121102, after the date it was discovered (Nov. 2, 2012), has repeated itself, hundreds of times now.
Previous candidates for the origin of the fleeting blasts of radiation -- known as fast radio bursts, or FRBs -- have included exploding stars, the reverberations of weird objects called cosmic strings or even distant beacons from interstellar alien spaceships.
You forgot to list the microwave oven that was in the break room in the next building. That was at the radio observatory in West Virginia, if I recall correctly.
if u know what I mean
The "artist’s impression of a flash from FRB 121102" photo in the article is both hilarious and scary that this is how science is reported.
Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
Remember when the solar system had nine planets?
It's just alien music, we are just not hip enough to understand...
The explanation is more orthodox than some of the alternatives offered...
Unfortunately, no matter how extraordinary, scientific observations rarely (if ever) accommodate exciting far-fetched theories, leading disaffected audiences back to television...
So FRBs are pulsars now?
They've been traced to the Twitter account of a large orange being.
Table-ized A.I.
...And Australia. That right there, is an unearthly connection
We'd better round up all suspected aliens from 7-11 stores and use any means necessary to get their one-time pads.
I deny that I have not avoided attaining the opposite of that which I do not want.
"I think it must have been that bean I had for dinner"
Itâ(TM)s an interplexing beacon meant to lure the Borg towards Earth, you insensitive clod!
About 2 years ago a mysterious partical was sad to have been discovered. This was just around the time of the 'God Particle'. But after 5 years of intense research they discovered that their instrumention was being effected by the opening of a microwave oven door while the oven was in operation.
Which showed us two items of interest. One, Microwaves are not 100% safe when opening the door while operating. Yes, it is so minuet that I would even laugh at it if someone wanted a warning label. And second, that as humans, our emotions rule over true science.
Occasionally I read about astronomers observations of intense radiations, massive mass of stuff, and longest of long distances but I just can't comprehend these like I can comprehend a short drive or a walk to the local Walgreens.
mfwright@batnet.com
Big a douche as that guy is, you're an even bigger one for posting this shit.
Nobody credible is saying that it's aliens. It's a natural phenomenon. It clearly isn't a fucking microwave, but thanks for the genuinely idiotic suggestion.
I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
Hey, Giorgio Tsoukalos is 100% credible, you take that back!
http://memes.com/img/30936
Ever notice how, from the nose down he's clean, crisp, button-down? And from the nose up he's all kinds of whack-a-doodle? I think his nose is his personal DMZ...