Deep Field writes that the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) has released a second catalog containing 4,539 fast radio bursts from 3,641 distinct sources. These observations were collected over more than five years of continuous sky-watching between July 2018 and September 2023 using a unique telescope in British Columbia that features four stationary half-pipe reflectors with no moving parts.
- The telescope uses digital signal processing to form 1,024 beams electronically rather than physically steering dishes.
- Of the detected bursts, 981 originated from 83 known repeating sources.
- Fast radio bursts can be used to map the distribution of diffuse, low-density gas between galaxies by analyzing dispersion measures.
- Magnetars are currently a leading candidate for the physical source of these cosmic explosions.
- The telescope uses digital signal processing to form 1,024 beams electronically rather than physically steering dishes.
- Of the detected bursts, 981 originated from 83 known repeating sources.
- Fast radio bursts can be used to map the distribution of diffuse, low-density gas between galaxies by analyzing dispersion measures.
- Magnetars are currently a leading candidate for the physical source of these cosmic explosions.
