Overview

• The most powerful fast radio burst (FRB) ever recorded, named FRB 20220610A, was traced back to its origin: a group of seven galaxies that are closely packed together.
• The seven galaxies are about five billion years old and may be in the process of merging, which could have triggered the FRB.
• FRBs are intense, millisecond-long bursts of radio waves with unknown origins. The FRB 20220610A was four times more energetic than previously detected FRBs.
• Most FRBs have been traced back to isolated galaxies, making this discovery in a multi-galaxy system unusual and potentially enlightening for understanding the causes of FRBs.
• Scientists believe that compact objects, such as black holes or neutron stars, are likely involved in the creation of FRBs.