【新华社】“怀柔一号”卫星再立功：首次发现伽马暴里藏着周期信号

Core Insights - A Chinese research team utilized the "Huairou-1" satellite to observe a unique gamma-ray burst (GRB), identifying a rapidly rotating magnetar with a rotation period of only 1.1 milliseconds as a potential driver of the event, marking the first observation of millisecond pulsation signals in a gamma-ray burst [1][2] - The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, provides critical evidence for understanding the nature of products resulting from the merger of compact celestial bodies [1] Group 1 - The research was a collaboration between Nanjing University, the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the University of Hong Kong, and was published on September 19 [1] - Gamma-ray bursts are among the most intense explosive phenomena in the universe, with the mainstream view suggesting that some are produced by the merger of two neutron stars, leading to the formation of black holes or magnetars [1] - The breakthrough was based on the observation of GRB 230307A, the second brightest gamma-ray burst in human history, which was detected by the "Huairou-1" satellite on March 7, 2023, and exhibited high-energy gamma-ray radiation lasting nearly one minute, significantly longer than typical "short bursts" [1] Group 2 - The research team leveraged the high temporal resolution capabilities of the "Huairou-1" satellite to conduct an in-depth analysis of the observational data, identifying a central frequency of approximately 909 Hz and a signal duration of about 160 milliseconds, with a pulsation period closely matching the expected rotation period of a millisecond magnetar [2] - This finding enhances the understanding of the central engine of gamma-ray bursts and provides key insights into the evolution of compact celestial bodies under extreme physical conditions [2] - The "Huairou-1" satellite, launched in December 2020, serves as a monitor for gravitational wave counterparts and has achieved several original results in the fields of gamma-ray bursts, magnetar explosions, gravitational waves, and fast radio bursts [2]