What is the value of finding the first sustained and active rapid radio burst in the 500-meter spherical radio telescope (FAST)? The 500-meter spherical radio telescope (FAST) FAST discovered the first continuously active FAST radio burst, and at least six new FRB cases have been discovered, which has promoted the research of astronomy and made a unique contribution in this new field.

Fast radio burst (FRB) is a mysterious explosion phenomenon in the universe. It releases energy that the sun can radiate for about a whole year in 1 millisecond. Recently, the international team led by Li Yong, a researcher from the National Astronomical Observatory of Chinese Academy of Sciences, took the lead in discovering the first continuously active FAST radio burst (FRB 20 190520B) through the powerful sky observation capability of the 500-meter spherical radio telescope (FAST).

Subsequently, the team organized a number of international equipment to cooperate with the heavens and the earth, and integrated the data of radio interference arrays, optical and infrared telescopes and space high-energy observatories, positioning FRB 20 190520B in a metal-poor dwarf galaxy 3 billion light years away from us, confirming that the near-source region has the largest known electron density, and also finding the second counterpart of the fast radio burst continuous radio source.

According to Li Wei, this discovery reveals that the complex environment around active repetitive bursts has characteristics similar to superbright supernova bursts, which lays a foundation for constructing the evolution model of fast radio bursts and understanding this intense cosmic mystery. This achievement was published in the international academic journal Nature on June 9, 2022, Beijing time.

Li Yong said that based on the recent observation data of fast, FRB 2012102a and FRB 20 190520B are likely to be in the initial stage of FAST radio burst. The continuous observation of fast, especially the implementation of the priority project of "Fast Radio Storm Survey", is expected to establish a brand-new evolution picture of FAST radio storms.

Fast radio burst (FRB) is the brightest radio burst phenomenon in the universe. It releases energy that the sun can radiate for about a whole year in 1 millisecond. The research time of FRB is still very short.

It was first confirmed to exist in 2007.

The first repeated outbreak of FRB was detected in 20 16, which broke the traditional cognition of FRB in the past and is now the latest research hotspot in astronomy. There are nearly 500 cases of FRB in the world, but there are less than 10 cases, which are active outbreaks (frequent outbreaks in the window period). There has never been a sustained and active repetitive rapid radio burst before.

Duncan lorimer, the founder of the field of fast radio bursts, commented on this discovery made by scientists in China: "Based on these characteristics of FRB 20 190520B and the existence of continuous radio sources, I think there may be different classifications of fast radio bursts. With the continuous growth of fast radio burst samples, it is expected that in the next few years, we will be able to uncover the mystery of fast radio bursts. "

FAST's "multi-scientific target process" is a major priority project. So far, at least six new FRBs have been discovered, which have promoted the research of astronomy and made unique contributions in this new field.