Unveiling the Mystery: Are Eerie Circles in Space Signs of Black Hole Explosions?

Strange circles of radio waves in space have been a mystery since their surprising discovery in 2019. Recently, a team of scientists took a closer look at one of these odd structures to learn more about their nature and origins.

In 2019, the CSIRO ASKAP radio telescope made headlines by detecting several of these unusual formations. Named odd radio circles (ORCs), they appear bright in radio waves but are invisible in other wavelengths like optical and X-ray. So far, only about ten of these circles have been identified, and their source remains unclear.

The latest research focused on ORC J0356-4216, led by scientists from Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. The team utilized both the ASKAP and MeerKAT radio telescopes to study this ORC, which was first found in October 2023. They looked at the waves and polarization of its radio emissions.

What they found was fascinating. J0356-4216 is composed of two symmetrical rings, each spanning around 2.18 million light-years. The polarization of the radio waves falls between 20 and 30 percent, with a magnetic field oriented along the rings.

Notably, this ORC is centered on a galaxy, which might help explain how these structures form. The researchers believe it could be a shock wave resulting from past activity in the galaxy, such as:

• Starburst outflows
• Galaxy collisions
• Increased activity from a supermassive black hole, often referred to as an active galactic nucleus (AGN)

The team hypothesizes that the unique shape and polarization of the ORC are likely due to remnants of past AGN activity or jets created during galaxy interactions.

As of now, this research is pending peer review but is shared as a preprint on the arXiv server. It adds a new piece to the puzzle of understanding ORCs and their role in the cosmos.

For more insights, check out the arXiv server and follow the ongoing studies in radio astronomy for updates on this captivating topic.

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