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A repeating fast radio burst source in a globular cluster
F Kirsten1,2, B Marcote3, K Nimmo4,5
1Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, Onsala Space Observatory, Onsala, Sweden. kirsten@astron.nl.
Nature
|February 24, 2022
Summary
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) localized to a globular cluster challenge existing models. The findings suggest FRBs may originate from neutron stars formed via white dwarf collapse or binary mergers within these dense stellar environments.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Radio Astronomy
Background:
- Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are enigmatic extragalactic radio transients of unknown origin.
- While most FRBs are single events, some repeaters have been observed, leading to various theoretical models.
- Magnetars are frequently proposed as the source of FRB emission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin of the repeating Fast Radio Burst 20200120E.
- To test existing models of FRB generation against new observational data.
Main Methods:
- Localization of FRB 20200120E using radio telescope observations.
- Association of the FRB source with a globular cluster in the nearby galaxy M81.
- Analysis of the implications of the source location within an old stellar population.
Main Results:
- FRB 20200120E was precisely localized to a globular cluster in M81, approximately 2 parsecs from its optical center.
- The location within a globular cluster, known for old stellar populations, contradicts models requiring young magnetars from supernovae.
Conclusions:
- The observed FRB location challenges models based on young magnetars formed in core-collapse supernovae.
- Alternative models propose that FRB 20200120E originates from highly magnetized neutron stars formed through white dwarf accretion-induced collapse or compact star mergers in binary systems.
- The high frequency of compact binaries in globular clusters supports these alternative formation scenarios.
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