Astronomers probe source of mysterious, powerful radio signal from beyond galaxyDANIELLE FUTSELAAR / SHUTTERSTOCK The Arecibo telescope, in Puerto Rico, shown in this artist's impression receiving the fast radio burst. Fast radio bursts beaming from beyond our galaxy, are astonishingly powerful, and nobody knows what – or who – is making them. FRBs, as they are known, have fascinated astronomers since they were discovered in the archive data of NSW's Parkes radio telescope in 2007. Polarised light is light that vibrates in only one direction. The star's polarised light is being twisted by the surrounding plasma before it reaches us.

Source: Stuff January 12, 2018 06:22 UTC