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2w ago

Most Distant Fast Radio Burst Localized to Dwarf Galaxy at z=2.148

Coordinated MeerKAT with JWST observations extend FRB localization to the peak era of star formation

The galaxy found to be hosting FRB 2020304B. The top left image shows the field of view surrounding the observation region, with the NIRcam footprint shown on the right. The square shows the NIRSpec IFS observation footprint, and the most likely position of FRB 2020304B shown as a green cross surrounded by the localisation uncertainty (white circle). The middle images show, from left to right, the author’s NIRCam observations, Oxygen III data from NIRSpec, Hydrogen alpha data from NIRSpec, and a white light image from NIRSpec. The bottom panel shows the spectrum (black line) and its uncertainties (shaded region) of the host galaxy (Credit : South African Radio Astronomy Observatory)
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Overview

  • FRB 20240304B has been spectroscopically localized to a host at redshift 2.148, confirming it as the most distant FRB with a secure identification.
  • The burst resides in a clumpy, low-mass dwarf galaxy with active star formation and 10–20% solar metallicity, consistent with a young magnetar source.
  • An observed dispersion measure of ∼2,458 pc/cm³ and high linear polarization fraction of 49% reveal the density and magnetic field structure of the intervening intergalactic medium.
  • By doubling the redshift reach of localized FRBs, the discovery enables these flashes to chart ionized baryons through roughly 80% of cosmic history.
  • Combining sensitive radio detection at MeerKAT with deep imaging and spectroscopy from JWST highlights a cross-facility approach to unraveling FRB origins.