A Chinese research team has introduced a novel method to comprehensively analyze the behavior of active fast radio bursts (FRBs) in the time-energy domain, revealing their inherent randomness.
FRBs are intense pulses of radio emission that last only a few milliseconds, originating from distant galaxies. Despite their extraordinary brightness in radio bands, the origin of these cosmic explosions remains one of the greatest mysteries in astronomy.
Leveraging the rich observational data from China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), researchers from the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) proposed a new analytical framework. This approach quantifies the randomness and chaotic nature of FRB events, distinguishing them from other transient physical phenomena.
The study found that the behavior of FRBs in the time-energy domain is fundamentally different from common transient phenomena such as earthquakes and solar flares. Instead, FRBs exhibit a high degree of randomness akin to Brownian motion, providing fresh perspectives on their elusive origins.
“The exceptional observational capabilities of FAST, combined with innovative analytical methods, allow us to delve deeper into these mysterious burst signals,” said Li Di from the NAOC, who led the study. “We hope this will eventually lead to uncovering the true nature of FRBs.”
The findings not only enhance the understanding of FRBs but also demonstrate the potential of advanced analytical techniques in astrophysical research. The study was published on Friday as the cover paper in the journal Science Bulletin.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
