Citizens of citizens spot a perfect extragalactic venn diagram

For lovers of astronomy and cool mathematics, this observation is a real treat. Citizen astronomers have come across not one but two rings of extragalactic radio signals crossing to form an almost perfect Venn diagram.

An article published on October 2 in the monthly opinions of the Royal Astronomical Society identifies this strangely geometric object as a “strange radio circle” (Orc), large magnetized plasma rings. These rings, only visible to radio wavelengths, emit non -thermal synchrotron radiation. They are also gigantic, generally covering hundreds of thousands of light years. Astronomers have documented only a small handful of cases, but this particular pair of rings would be the most distant and the most powerful so far.

In addition, the researchers found two more powerful radio signals which offer valuable information on the dynamics of the Orc, discovered for the first time six years ago.

“Orcs are among the most bizarre and most beautiful cosmic structures we have ever seen – and they can have essential clues on how galaxies and black holes co -evolved, hand in hand,” said Ananda Hota, main author of the study and founder of Rad @ Home Astronomy collaboratory for citizen science Research, in a press release.

A current puzzle

As the name suggests, the odd radio circles are only visible by radiotelescopes, which operate at relatively low frequencies. At other frequencies, or wavelengths, they become invisible – a reason why they are only recently, due to the progress of radio -astronomy.

Given their novelty, astronomers have not yet determined an exact cause of strange radio circles. Until now, the handful of detections has suggested that they could be shock waves of the merger of galaxies or black holes, or even remains of supernovas. Be that as it may, the Orc almost always materialize near the large galaxies, referring to what there should be a correlation between the two.

The new discovery raises another possibility. What happens if these rings are the product of “superwinds” compressing dormant radio lobes? Galactic superwind can emerge from a variety of powerful extragalactic events, which could explain why past orc observations had contradictory sources.

Many mobile pieces

The other two radio signals that researchers found nearby also support this hypothesis. More specifically, these were two gigantic galaxies in a group of crowded galaxies that exploded powerful plasma and radio emissions. Their activity, associated with the local environment, probably helped shape the rings, said the researchers.

“These discoveries show that orcas and radio rings are not isolated curiosities,” noted Pratik Dabhade, co-author of the study and astronomer in the National Center for Nuclear Research in Poland, in the declaration. “They are part of a wider family of exotic plasma structures shaped by jets of black holes, winds and their environments.”

The signals were first detected by citizen scientists using the low -frequency network, a sensitive radiotele -based in Europe. Professional scientists associated with RAD @ Home Astronomy collaboration have helped to assess and confirm the validity of their results.

“The fact that scientific citizens have discovered them highlights the continuous importance of recognition of human models, even in the age of automatic learning,” added Dabhade.