By U.S. Naval Research Study Laboratory
July 29, 2023
Artist impression of the magnetar that was discovered by the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) radio telescope and other radio centers around the world that assisted confirm the discovery. Looking back in time utilizing archival data from NRLs VLITE instrument on the VLA, NRL astronomers were able to time the radio bursts back to 2018.
Astronomers have actually verified the presence of an unique excellent object, an ultra-long duration magnetar, challenging current understanding of neutron star physics. The enigmatic item, found in 2022, has been giving off radio waves for decades, stimulating interest and opening brand-new research avenues in the study of neutron stars and the universe.
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratorys Very Large Array (VLA) Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) telescope has been crucial in assisting astronomers validate findings of a new outstanding phenomenon that challenges existing scientific understanding of the physics of neutron stars. The things is believed to be an ultra-long duration magnetar, an unusual type of star with exceptionally strong electromagnetic fields that can produce powerful bursts of energy, a finding that was released on July 19 in the journal Nature.
NRLs VLITE was established in partnership with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in 2014. VLITEs 18 antennas collect over 6000 hours of data per year, which are archived at NRL. By this constant security, it can be utilized as a tool to discover short-term blips, bursts of radio waves from cosmic sources that are evasive without consistent observation.
In September 2022, an international group of astronomers, led by Curtin University and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Australia found the outstanding item (called GPM J1839-10) utilizing the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). NRL astronomers rapidly reprocessed stored VLITE information, identifying formerly concealed emission from the outstanding item.
An animation explaining the discovery, the habits of the object, and what it may appear like. Credit: ICRAR
” This enigmatic item has been concealing in the data for decades– we simply did not know we had to search for it until its discovery by the MWA,” said Dr. Simona Giacintucci, NRL Research Astronomer. GPM J1839-10 gives off a five-minute pulse of radio wavelength emission every 22 minutes, and its been doing this for a minimum of 33 years.
” Findings like this are amazing since they highlight the spaces in our understanding of the physics of these extreme stars referred to as magnetars,” stated Dr. Tracy Clarke, NRL Research Astronomer and VLITE Project Scientist. “Current understanding states this things ought to not discharge radio waves and yet we are finding them across a number of years and we are uncertain why. That is an amazing secret.”
Astronomers believe GPM J1839 − 10 is a kind of uncommon neutron star with very effective magnetic fields. “Astronomy is one of those unusual professions where we are not able to go to our items to study them,” Clarke said.
VLITE has exceeded its initial objective satisfying initial hopes of making discoveries just like this. NRL astronomers will continue to search data sets produced with VLITE to lead future discoveries and a better understanding of the Universe with the fascinating items it includes. NRLs instrumentation and advanced research study supports the objective of the Navy and Department of Defense while continuing to contribute to science worldwide.
For more on this discover, see Astronomers Find Mysterious Stellar Object Emitting Radio Waves Every 22 Minutes.
Recommendation: “A long-period radio transient active for three years” by N. Hurley-Walker, N. Rea, S. J. McSweeney, B. W. Meyers, E. Lenc, I. Heywood, S. D. Hyman, Y. P. Men, T. E. Clarke, F. Coti Zelati, D. C. Price, C. Horváth, T. J. Galvin, G. E. Anderson, A. Bahramian, E. D. Barr, N. D. R. Bhat, M. Caleb, M. Dall Ora, D. de Martino, S. Giacintucci, J. S. Morgan, K. M. Rajwade, B. Stappers and A. Williams, 19 July 2023, Nature.DOI: 10.1038/ s41586-023-06202-5.
Image Credit: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), Gran Telescopio Canarias; Daniel López/ IAC, Murchison Widefield Array; Marianne Annereau, Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope; NCRA, Australian SKA Pathfinder; CSIRO/DragonflyMedia, Australia Telescope Compact Array; CSIRO, Parkes Radio Telescope, Murriyang; CSIRO, Very Large Array; AUI/NRAO.
” Current understanding states this object should not give off radio waves and yet we are finding them across a number of years and we are not sure why. That is an amazing mystery.”– Dr. Tracy Clarke, NRL Research Astronomer and VLITE Project Scientist
Artist impression of the magnetar that was discovered by the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) radio telescope and other radio facilities around the world that assisted validate the discovery. Looking back in time utilizing archival data from NRLs VLITE instrument on the VLA, NRL astronomers were able to time the radio bursts back to 2018. The inset timeline (leading right) of VLITE archival observations reveals the MWA discovery as a red bar, blue dots are VLITE information sets browsed and thumbnails of the magnetar program when VLITE spotted the emission. NRLs VLITE was established in collaboration with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) in 2014. In September 2022, an international team of astronomers, led by Curtin University and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Australia found the outstanding item (called GPM J1839-10) utilizing the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA).
