Fast radio bursts may help study dark matter
In the United States, a team of researchers analyzed around 100 fast radio bursts (FRBs) and, for the first time, directly measured with their help the effect of galactic feedback on matter inhomogeneity in intergalactic space. This could aid cosmological studies of dark matter, dark energy and neutrino mass, Space.com reports.
Signals through cosmic matter
Fast radio bursts are short but intense flashes of radio waves. Their origin has not been definitively established, but they are now associated with magnetars — rapidly rotating dead stars with extraordinarily strong magnetic fields.
During their journey to Earth, which can last billions of light-years, the signals pass through gas and dust in galaxies. This “cosmic veil” changes the original signal, so FRBs contain information about the distribution of ordinary matter along their path. Studying its distribution and inhomogeneity can complement research into factors affecting the formation of large cosmic structures.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The feedback effect
Astrophysical feedback, including energy from supermassive black holes actively consuming matter at the centers of galaxies, thins the gas around them and redistributes it over large distances. As a result, matter becomes less inhomogeneous. This effect may resemble the impact of massive neutrinos, dark energy or certain dark matter models, so it is important to measure it separately.
The researchers found that galactic feedback does indeed smooth the distribution of matter, but its effect is weaker than previous measurements indicated. The results were published in the journal Nature Astronomy. In 2029, the Deep Synoptic Array radio telescope is due to begin operating in Nevada and is expected to detect tens of thousands of FRBs.
