What is the Weird Flash from the Center of the Galaxy? Exploring ASKAP J173608.2–321635

An unusual flash from the center of the galaxy has astronomers scratching their heads. What’s going on with ASKAP J173608.2–321635?

Antennae of the ASKAP telescope array at Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia. Image credit: CSIRO

Not far from the center of the Milky Way galaxy, astronomers have recently witnessed a mysterious flashing of radio waves. Many (in fact, most) objects give off radio waves — this is not unusual. What caught the eyes of astronomers is that this target does not seem to fit any category of known radio sources.

The source of this signal, ASKAP J173608.2–321635, does not seem to behave like an other known body which produces such radiation. It also cannot be seen in visible, infrared, or X-ray wavelengths — only in radio waves.

“We have presented the discovery and characterization of ASKAP J173608.2–321635: a highly-polarized, variable radio source located near the Galactic Center and with no clear multi-wavelength counterpart. ASKAP J173608.2–321635 may represent part of a new class of objects being discovered through radio imaging surveys,” explain a team of researchers in The Astrophysical Journal.

Now You See It, Now You Don’t

Astronomers found the radio signal using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). This instrument is one…