Scientists have been searching for an explanation for the largest explosions in the universe for years, and now a new study has found an explanation.
Astronomers observed one of the most powerful cosmic explosions in the universe in 2020, and now they’ve found out what could be causing the mysterious phenomenon. live science.
So-called fast radio bursts (FRBs) are huge explosions in space that last only a few milliseconds. For years, the cause of these phenomena was a mystery to experts, but now there is a mystery New study You can finally answer the origin of the mysterious eruptions.
Astronomers observed an FRB within our galaxy in 2020 and successfully identified its source: a magnetar. Magnetars are neutron stars (the remnants of a massive dead star) that have extremely strong magnetic fields.
Hypothetical experts believe that if an iron-rich asteroid enters the gravitational field of a magnetar, it will break into thousands of pieces. Some of these pieces begin to rotate around the celestial body, but other parts fall to the surface of the dead star. As it falls, the electrically charged, iron-rich debris passes through the magnetar’s incredibly strong magnetic fields, creating radiation. This radiation is called a fast radio burst.
Of course, this is just one possible explanation for the creation of FRBs, as according to scientists, many different reasons could lead to the mysterious eruptions.