Eight new repeating Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) have be detected by the CHIME radio telescope, in Canada. FRBs were once thought to be caused by catastrophic astrophysical events, and so only one-shot affairs. This is plainly not always the case.

It does not even appear that FRBs occur under consistent conditions. Some of the new bursts show signs of coming from an intense magnetic environment, other do not.

Due to the variability in the rate at which the FRBs repeat, it has now been suggested that all FRBs may be repeaters. Apparent non-repeating FRBs may simply be less frequently active than known repeaters.

The linked article, below, has further information about this discovery, including a link to the soon-to-be-published scientific paper.

https://www.sciencealert.com/astronomers-have-bagged-a-jaw-dropping-haul-of-eight-new-repeating-fast-radio-bursts

perhaps this time they will have recorded the content of these bursts --so we won't have to listen to stupid speculation that they came from another civilization. We need to figure out the mechanism of these since it does suggest that it is not star-related such as a quasar, pulsar etc

The more probable explanations for Fast Radio Bursts all seem to be tied either to catastrophic, one-off events, or the presence of very strong magnetic fields. Since we now have a number of repeating FRBs, and ones with signal polarization tending to argue against strong magnetic fields, it seems prudent to consider all physically possible explanations.

As usual, what we don't know about the universe far exceeds what we do know. And it will most likely remain that way.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

As usual, what we don't know about the universe far exceeds what we do know. And it will most likely remain that way.

+1

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The Deep Synoptic Array 10 in Owens Valley, California, has joined the search for FRB. Its 10 antennas are 4.5 meters wide and can pinpoint the position of a FRB. "Nature Briefing" has an article on this radio telescope, which joins CHIME in Canada and SKAP in Africa.
Tullio

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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201909/05/WS5d70a55ca310cf3e35569e8f.html

China's FAST telescope detects 'mysterious radio burst' for first time

China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) has detected a repeating fast radio burst (FRB) — mysterious radio signals from outer space — for the first time, Science and Technology Daily reported.

Scientists on the FAST project with the National Astronomical Observatories of China, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, revealed the news on Wednesday.

The FRB originated some three billion light years away from Earth. Interference factors including aircraft and satellites have been eliminated and cross validation is being carried out, the scientists said.

Mysterious fast radio bursts continue to baffle astronomers

Since 2007, mysterious signals have been reaching Earth from other galaxies — now they’ve tripled frequency, and some of them are repeating the same message.

The number of alien, repeating radio blasts astronomers have detected in deep space has just tripled.

What are they? Where do they come from? What do they mean?

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) were first discovered by Australia’s Parkes telescope in 2007. They immediately became one of the strangest mysteries of the known universe.

About 100 have been found since.

They are fleeting — but incredibly powerful — signals seemingly originating out of nowhere. And they appear to be travelling almost unbelievably vast distances.

https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/space/mysterious-fast-radio-bursts-continue-to-baffle-astronomers/news-story/17df5cf481ece9d6f59d571c194f7383

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My pet hypothesis is that FRBs are, or are related to, starquakes on magnetars. The combination of these two phenomena would seem to have the magnetic intensity, brevity and lack of periodicity required.

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