The U.S. Naval Analysis Laboratory’s Very Giant Array (VLA) Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) telescope has helped astronomers affirm findings of a brand new stellar phenomenon that challenges present scientific understanding of the physics of neutron stars. The item is believed to be an ultra-long interval magnetar, a uncommon sort of star with extraordinarily sturdy magnetic fields that may produce highly effective bursts of vitality, a discovering that was revealed right this moment in Nature.
NRL’s VLITE was developed in collaboration with the Nationwide Radio Astronomy Observatory in 2014. VLITE operates on the VLA as a stand-alone instrument for ionospheric and astrophysical research. VLITE’s 18 antennas accumulate over 6000 hours of knowledge per yr, that are archived at NRL. Initially it was applied to continuously monitor the Earth’s ionosphere to review disturbances that may have an effect on it comparable to geomagnetic storms, seismic occasions and gravity waves. By this fixed surveillance, it may be used as a device to detect transient blips, bursts of radio waves from cosmic sources which can be elusive with out fixed commentary. Understanding these phenomena might lead astronomers to a greater understanding of the Universe.
In September 2022, a global crew of astronomers, led by Curtin College and the Worldwide Centre for Radio Astronomy Analysis (ICRAR) in Australia found the stellar object (named GPM J1839-10) utilizing the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). The invention set off an intense world-wide effort to know GPM J1839-10. NRL astronomers rapidly reprocessed saved VLITE information, figuring out beforehand hidden emission from the stellar object. Armed with the VLITE outcomes, astronomers scoured archives and traced the emission from the supply again greater than three a long time, to 1988.
“This enigmatic object has been hiding within the information for many years – we simply didn’t know we needed to search for it till its discovery by the MWA”, stated Dr. Simona Giacintucci, NRL Analysis Astronomer. GPM J1839-10 emits a five-minute pulse of radio wavelength emission each 22 minutes, and it has been doing this for at the very least 33 years.
“Findings like this are thrilling as a result of they spotlight the gaps in our understanding of the physics of those excessive stars generally known as magnetars,” stated Dr. Tracy Clarke, NRL Analysis Astronomer and VLITE Mission Scientist. “Present understanding says this object shouldn’t emit radio waves and but we’re detecting them throughout a number of a long time and we’re not certain why. That’s an thrilling thriller.”
Astronomers consider GPM J1839−10 is a type of uncommon neutron star with extraordinarily highly effective magnetic fields. “Astronomy is a type of weird professions the place we’re not in a position to go to our objects to review them,” Clarke stated. “We’re all in favour of what number of of those are on the market and the place they’re positioned. That’s directing future analysis.”
VLITE has exceeded its unique mission fulfilling preliminary hopes of creating discoveries similar to this. NRL astronomers will proceed to go looking information units produced with VLITE to steer future discoveries and a greater understanding of the Universe with the fascinating objects it comprises. NRL’s instrumentation and cutting-edge analysis helps the mission of the Navy and Division of Protection whereas persevering with to contribute to science worldwide.
Concerning the U.S. Naval Analysis Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command devoted to analysis that drives progressive advances for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps from the seafloor to house and within the data area. NRL is positioned in Washington, D.C., with main subject websites in Stennis House Middle, Mississippi, Key West, Florida, and Monterey, California, and employs roughly 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and help personnel.
For extra data, contact NRL Company Communications at (202) 480-3746 or nrlpao@nrl.navy.mil.
