Fast Radio Bursts: Cosmic Origins
Millisecond-long pulses of radio energy from deep space whose origins remain unknown, from magnetars to extraterrestrial intelligence.
INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW
Fast Radio Bursts are intense, millisecond-long radio pulses from deep space. First discovered in 2007, hundreds have been detected. Most are one-off events; some repeat. The first repeating FRB was traced to a dwarf galaxy 3 billion light-years away. In 2020, an FRB from within the Milky Way confirmed magnetars as one source. The full range of origins remains unknown.
KEY CLAIMS
FRBs could be signals from extraterrestrial intelligence
Repeating FRBs suggest an artificial origin
FRBs could be evidence of alien technology
The energy output is too high for natural explanations
FRBs could revolutionize physics
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
FRBs produce energy equivalent to the sun's annual output in milliseconds
Repeating FRB 121102 traced to a specific galaxy
Dispersion measures confirm extragalactic origin
2020 FRB from Milky Way confirmed magnetars as one source
CHIME detects multiple FRBs daily
COUNTER ARGUMENTS
The energy for artificial FRBs would be impractical
Magnetars confirmed as natural source for some FRBs
Lack of modulation argues against ETI origin
FRB rates are consistent with magnetar flares
ETI hypothesis is a speculation of last resort
TIMELINE
First FRB discovered
First repeating FRB discovered
FRB from Milky Way confirms magnetar origin
KEY FIGURES
Duncan Lorimer
Astrophysicist who discovered first FRB
Shami Chatterjee
Astronomer who localized first repeating FRB
ORGANIZATIONS
CHIME Collaboration
Academic
SETI Institute
Research
SOURCES
RELATED ENTITIES
PEOPLE
Duncan Lorimer
Shami Chatterjee
ORGANIZATIONS
CHIME Collaboration
SETI Institute
LOCATIONS
Space
TECHNOLOGIES
Space
EVENTS
First FRB discovered
2007
First repeating FRB discovered
2012
FRB from Milky Way confirms magnetar origin
2020