南非MeerKAT射电望远镜探测到距地超40亿光年的“宇宙呼吸声”

Core Insights - An international research team has detected neutral hydrogen signals from 11 galaxies located over 4 billion light-years away using the South African MeerKAT radio telescope, marking a significant advancement in astrophysical research [1][2] - The detection of these signals, which represent a 21-centimeter wavelength radio emission, allows scientists to observe gas distribution and dynamics in distant galaxies, contributing to the understanding of star formation processes [1] - One of the galaxies identified has set a record for the farthest neutral hydrogen signal detected using interferometric observation techniques, with a redshift value of z=0.3841 [1] Group 1 - The MeerKAT radio telescope is operated by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory and is a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, consisting of 64 dish antennas [1] - The findings from this research will aid in validating a key principle of galaxy dynamics and provide insights into the distribution and evolution of dark matter within galaxies [1] - The research paper detailing these findings was published in the latest issue of the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on October 6 [1] Group 2 - The SKA is a collaborative international scientific project involving multiple countries, designed to be the largest integrated aperture radio telescope in the world, with components located in Australia and South Africa [2] - The SKA's name derives from its total receiving area of approximately one square kilometer, highlighting its scale and significance in the field of radio astronomy [2]