A pair of astrophysicists, one from Princeton University and the other from the University of Maryland, have developed a new theory to explain fast radio bursts (FSBs). In an article published in the journal Physical Review LettersElias Most and Oleksandr Filippov discuss their theory and how it fits with other theories about the FSB.

The first FSB was recorded in 2007, and more than 600 have been accidentally recorded since then. This is because astronomers do not know their sources. All they know is that these are powerful, short-lived bursts of radio waves, and they all originate far away, at least for now.

One of the leading theories developed to explain FSBs is that they originate from magnetars, a type of slowly rotating neutron star. The theory suggests that super-strong bursts of magnetic energy are behind the FSB. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to prove whether this theory is correct. In this new attempt, the researchers hypothesize another possibility – they occur shortly before two neutron stars merge.

Previous research has shown that merging neutron stars tend to have electromagnetic equivalents – such an event was actually recorded in 2017. Most and Filippov suggest that as neutron stars get closer to each other, their spin speeds increase. This accelerates electrons above their poles, creating an electron-positron plasma field. Then, as the stars merge, electromagnetic energy is released from the magnetic fields of both stars in the orbital plane just before the collision. They suggest that this results in the release of a large burst of energy, perceived by instruments on Earth as fast bursts of radio waves.

Researchers also think such an explosion would be similar to the radio waves emitted by magnetars. They note that the main difference with magnetars is that ejections occur after the events that led to their creation, while in neutron star mergers the action occurs just before. They concluded that new technology, such as the deployment of the square kilometer array in 2027, should provide a way to prove both theories are correct. Source