中国天眼揭示快速射电暴双星起源关键证据

Core Insights - A research team led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Purple Mountain Observatory has made a significant breakthrough by capturing the detailed evolution of the Faraday rotation measure (RM) of a repeating fast radio burst (FRB) for the first time internationally, providing key observational evidence for the hypothesis that fast radio bursts originate from binary star systems [2][3][5]. Group 1: Research Findings - The team monitored the repeating fast radio burst FRB20220529 for 2.2 years using China's 500-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), which has ultra-high sensitivity [3][6]. - The Faraday rotation measure of FRB20220529 fluctuated between -300 to +300 rad/m² with a median of 17 rad/m² during regular monitoring, but in December 2023, it surged to 1977±84 rad/m², approximately 20 times the previous levels, before rapidly declining back to normal [4][5]. - This rapid and reversible change in the magnetic environment is unprecedented in the history of fast radio burst research, indicating a dense magnetized plasma cloud passing between the Earth and the burst source [4][5]. Group 2: Implications for Astrophysics - The observed rapid change in the Faraday rotation measure cannot be explained by existing theories if FRB20220529 originated from an isolated neutron star; however, it can be reasonably explained if it is part of a binary star system, where the companion star's activity could cause such fluctuations [5]. - This discovery provides strong observational support for the binary star origin model of fast radio bursts, which has been a significant mystery in astrophysics [5]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - The breakthrough highlights the unmatched sensitivity of FAST, which can detect extremely weak radio signals, and the innovative data processing methods employed by the research team to extract key polarization information from vast observational data [6]. - The collaboration involved multiple institutions, including the University of Science and Technology of China and the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, showcasing the strength of China's scientific infrastructure [6]. Group 4: Future Developments - To maintain its leading position in the field of low-frequency radio astronomy, FAST is advancing upgrade plans, which include constructing dozens of medium-sized antennas around the telescope to form a giant array [8]. - This upgrade aims to overcome the spatial resolution limitations of single-dish telescopes and enhance observational sensitivity, positioning FAST as a more powerful "cosmic super probe" for understanding fast radio bursts and other astrophysical mysteries [8].