A radio signal was emitted from a star-forming galaxy called “SDSSJ0826+5630”, which was around when the universe was only 4.9 billion years old. In the opinion of the scientists, the signal was not sent by aliens, but this is the first time that such a radio signal has been detected from such a great distance.
Arnav Chakraborty, cosmologist and co-author of the study on the discovery, told Metro.co.uk: “This is equivalent to looking back 8.8 billion years. Galaxies emit different types of radio signals but until now, they could only be captured from galaxies relatively close to the Earth”.
The galaxy, named ‘SDSSJ0826+5630’, sent the signal that has a wavelength called the ’21 cm line’https://t.co/txl2kuarql
— Daily Star (@dailystar) January 21, 2023
He further explained that it was possible to detect the signal at such a record-breaking distance due to a naturally occurring phenomenon known as “Gravitational Lensing” – a phenomenon in which light rays bend around a body with mass. Chakraborty’s partner, Nirupam Roy, said: “Gravitational lensing magnifies the signal coming from a distant object to help us study the early universe.”
Radio signal detected on earth from galaxy 9 BILLION light years away ????.
Researchers in Canada and India were able to capture the signal from the galaxy named ‘SDSSJ0826+5630’, with the help of a giant telescope in India. #Radio #GalaxyA14 #planet pic.twitter.com/ceBiBU92tQ
— Let’s Grow (@Billion04553432) January 22, 2023
The signal was picked up in India and Montreal with the help of “Metrewave” – a huge radio telescope, and the discovery was published this week in the monthly journal of the Royal Astronomical Society. The phenomenon represents a new opportunity to understand the cosmic evolution of stars and galaxies.
MACS0647: Gravitational Lensing of the Early Universe by Webb: https://t.co/bDqLCjyKN5 by @NASA @stsci pic.twitter.com/KCNoTPS0Vp
— Astronomy Picture Of The Day (@apod) January 18, 2023