In 2022, an alien signal hit Earth, sparking hope for understanding its mysterious origins. Researchers have now pinpointed its source using data from the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME). A team from MIT focused on FRB 20221022A and found that it likely erupted from a rotating neutron star just 10,000 kilometers away.
The study analyzed scintillation, or variations in brightness, similar to twinkling stars. This unique technique helped pinpoint the burst’s origin at a distance of approximately 200 million light-years. The findings suggest that FRBs can originate from chaotic magnetic environments near neutron stars, known as magnetars.
These intense regions are so powerful that atoms cannot exist; they would be torn apart by the magnetic forces. The research marks a significant breakthrough in understanding FRBs and their diverse origins. Lead author Kenzie Nimmo notes that future studies may uncover more about these enigmatic bursts.
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/an-alien-signal-hit-earth-in-2022-astronomers-have-now-found-its-origin-source-2658522-2025-01-02