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most distant fast radio burst FRB 20240304B MeerKat JWST

Astronomers Detect Most Distant Fast Radio Burst FRB 20240304B Using MeerKAT & JWST

Dynamic spectrum with corresponding polarisation profile for FRB 20240304B. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI reference: 10.48550/arxiv.2508.01648.

Introduction

An international consortium of astronomers, employing the MeerKAT radio telescope, has detected a fresh fast radio burst named FRB 20240304B. Its measured redshift confirms it as the furthest known fast radio burst so far. The results were outlined in a paper released on 3 August on the arXiv pre-print server.

Understanding Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)

Definition and Characteristics

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are brief yet powerful flashes of radio waves, lasting only a few milliseconds and displaying the distinctive dispersion sweep seen in radio pulsars.

Possible Origins

Their true physical origin remains uncertain; nonetheless, astronomers propose explanations ranging from synchrotron maser emission from young magnetars in supernova remnants to the activity of cosmic string cusps.

The Importance of High-Redshift FRB Detection

Previous Observations

Most FRBs identified to date have been observed at comparatively low redshifts, below 0.5.

Scientific Motivation

Consequently, their occurrence at higher redshifts remains insufficiently explored. Astronomers are thus keen to locate additional high-redshift FRBs, which may yield valuable insights into galaxy formation during the universe's early billions of years.

Discovery of FRB 20240304B

Research Team and Redshift Measurement

A team of astronomers headed by Manisha Caleb of the University of Sydney, Australia has reported the discovery of a high-redshift FRB. Designated FRB 20240304B it was measured at a redshift of about 2.148, corresponding to a time roughly 3 billion years after the Big Bang.

Significance of the Detection

"In detecting FRB 20240304B at zspec = 2.148 ± 0.001 during the height of galaxy formation roughly 10 billion years ago, we highlight the promise of FRBs as valuable tools for exploring the cosmic web," the researchers stated in their paper.

Observation Details

Instrument and Detection Date

FRB 20240304B was discovered on 4 March 2024 using the Transient User Supplied Equipment (TUSE) instrument of the MeerKAT telescope.

Signal Properties

The event exhibited:

  • An observed dispersion measure of 2.458.20 pc/cm³
  • A peak flux of 0.49 Jy
  • A scattering time of 506 milliseconds at 1.0 GHz

Host Galaxy Identification

Using JWST for Localization

Caleb's team pinpointed the location of FRB 20240304B to a low-mass, irregular and star-forming host galaxy using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Galaxy Characteristics

  • This galaxy possesses a stellar mass of roughly 10 million solar masses.
  • Forms stars at a rate of 0.2 solar masses per year.
  • A gas-phase metallicity amounting to about 10-20% of the Sun's.

Cosmic Context and Record-Breaking Nature

Most Remote FRB Yet Observed

Overall, the study establishes FRB 20240304B as the most remote FRB yet observed and the first found during cosmic noon, a period roughly 10-11 billion years in the past when star formation was at its highest.

Impact on Redshift Records

The detection also doubles the known redshift limit for localized FRBs.

Polarization Analysis

Observed Polarization Levels

  • The astronomer observed that FRB 20240304B exhibits a high degree of linear polarization with a linear polarization fraction of 49%
  • A minimal circular polarization fraction of 3%

Implications for Magnetic Fields

They further suggested that the magnetic fields along its line of sight are either weaker than anticipated or likely more complex in nature.

Source

Discoveries like FRB 20240304B push the boundaries of our cosmic knowledge, revealing new clues about the universe's early days.

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