Scientists still don’t fully understand how fast radio bursts (FRBs) are generated, but a new research sheds light on the possible origins of these mysterious signals that seem to arrive from every corner of the cosmos. Published in Nature, the study offers new insights into these elusive radio pulses. FRBs, short bursts of electromagnetic radiation detectable in radio waves, have long puzzled astronomers. These signals typically have an average frequency of around 1400 MHz and flicker into existence for only fractions of a second, making them some of the most enigmatic signals the universe produces. Sources of FRBs are known to be located millions, even billions, of light-years from Earth. One prominent theory attributes FRBs to magnetars—neutron stars with the universe’s most intense magnetic fields. Scientists believe that interactions between a magnetar’s magnetic field and gravitational forces can cause “starquakes,” potentially resulting in FRBs. However, not all FRBs behave in the same way, suggesting other mechanisms might be at play. By analyzing galaxies where FRBs have been detected, the study’s authors have identified environmental conditions that seem favorable to their formation. The study reveals that FRBs typically originate in galaxies rich in young stars and possessing exceptionally high mass—a combination rarely observed. Young stars, which are often massive, tend to have short lifespans and eventually explode as supernovae, leaving behind neutron stars, including magnetars. This evidence suggests that star-forming regions with abundant young stars may foster the creation of FRB sources. The study also points to the importance of a galaxy’s metallicity—the abundance of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. Massive galaxies generally contain higher levels of these elements, referred to as “metals” in astronomy. This high metal content supports the formation of massive stars, which can later become magnetars or other neutron stars that could be linked to FRBs. Yet, scientists note that supernova events occur in galaxies at a rate similar to star formation, and if magnetars from supernovae were the main source of FRBs, we would expect the distribution of FRBs to match that of supernovae. Since this is not the case, it suggests that supernova-formed magnetars may not be the primary origin of FRBs. Alternatively, magnetars capable of producing FRBs may form through the merger of binary star systems, a scenario that could occur in galaxies dense with massive stars. Although this study does not definitively pinpoint the source of FRBs, it supports the magnetar hypothesis and highlights how specific galactic environments may be crucial in generating these bursts. The post Astronomers Discover the Origin of Mysterious Space Signals appeared first on Anomalien.com.