Astronomers detect mysterious burst of energy from a galaxy far, far away
Astronomers have detected a fast radio burst (FRB) that originated over 10 billion years ago, making it the most distant such event ever recorded. The discovery was made using the MeerKAT radio telescope and confirmed by the James Webb Space Telescope.
Why it matters
Studying ancient FRBs provides scientists with unique data about the early universe and the evolution of galaxies over cosmic time.
Artist impression of a fast radio burst. Astronomers have detected they believe to be the most distant fast radio burst ever recorded, which was produced before there was Earth or sun. Photograph: Carl Knox/OzGrav Artist impression of a fast radio burst. Astronomers have detected they believe to be the most distant fast radio burst ever recorded, which was produced before there was Earth or sun. Photograph: Carl Knox/OzGrav Astronomy Astronomers detect mysterious burst of energy from a galaxy far, far away Intense flash of radio waves is more than 10bn years old and has travelled through ‘approximately 80% of cosmic history’
Prefer the Guardian on Google A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a mysterious flash of energy was released into the universe.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in