Categories: Science

Radio signal from 9 billion light-years away from Earth captured

A radio signal 9 billion light-years away from Earth has been captured in a record-breaking recording, Space.com said Friday.

The signal was detected by a unique wavelength known as a “21-centimeter line” or the “hydrogen line,” which is reportedly emitted by neutral hydrogen atoms.

The signal captured by the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in India could mean that scientists can start investigating the formation of some of the earliest stars and galaxies, the report said. 

Scientists involved in the GMRT upgradation project.
(Hemant Mishra/Mint via Getty Images)

HOW TO WATCH THE ‘GREEN COMET’ AS IT MAKES CLOSEST APPROACH IN 50K YEARS

Researchers detected the signal from a “star-forming galaxy” titled SDSSJ0826+5630, which was emitted when the 13.8 billion-year-old Milky Way – the galaxy where Earth resides – was just 4.9 billion years old.

“It’s the equivalent to a look-back in time of 8.8 billion years,” author and McGill University Department of Physics post-doctoral cosmologist Arnab Chakraborty said in a statement this week.

A view of the Milky Way from an area of Puyehue National Park near Osorno City, Chile, May 8, 2008. 
(REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado)

MORE THAN 3 BILLION STARS, GALAXIES ARE CAPTURED IN A MASSIVE NEW SURVEY

Galaxies reportedly emit light across a wide range of radio wavelengths. But until recently, 21-cm-wavelength radio waves had only been recorded from galaxies nearby.

“A galaxy emits different kinds of radio signals. Until now, it’s only been possible to capture this particular signal from a galaxy nearby, limiting our knowledge to those galaxies closer to Earth,” Chakraborty said. 

An exhibitor arranges a scaled-down model of Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) Antenna on display during ‘Vigyan Samagam,’ a multi-venue mega-science exhibition, at the Visveswaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bangalore on July 29, 2019.
(MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

The signal allowed astronomers to measure the galaxy’s gas content and therefore find the galaxy’s mass. 

This determination has led scientists to conclude that this far-off galaxy is double the mass of the stars visible from Earth, the report said. 

Share

Recent Posts

Canada’s PM Carney vows to ‘fight’ Trump’s tariffs, other world leaders weigh impact

close Video Expense report: Impact of Trump tariffs on US automakers 'Special Report' anchor Bret…

21 minutes ago

Which countries impose the highest tariffs on the US?

close Video Trump administration officially files tariffs on imported vehicles ‘America Reports’ panelists Steve Moore…

21 minutes ago

Man charged with making threats against ICE agents, DHS Sec Kristi Noem in ‘alarming’ social media posts

close Video Kristi Noem promises US will use every tool to make communities safer  Homeland…

31 minutes ago

American Airlines flight to Tokyo from NYC diverted to Texas for ‘maintenance issue’

close Video American Airlines flight to Tokyo from New York was diverted to Dallas, Texas…

31 minutes ago

Musk not leaving yet, wrapping up work on schedule once ‘incredible work at DOGE is complete’: White House

Elon Musk will exit his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on schedule…

41 minutes ago

Bitter House GOP divisions erupt after Johnson shuts down votes over Republican mutiny

House Republicans are still divided after proceedings ground to a halt on Tuesday over a…

41 minutes ago