An international research team led by Dr. Di Li from the National Astronomical Observatories of China has made notable advances in understanding Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), specifically focusing on FRB 20190520B. This particular FRB is distinguished as the first persistently active repeating source, consistently producing detectable bursts. Their analysis utilized data from the Parkes telescope in Australia and the Green Bank Telescope in the U.S., revealing an unusual reversal in magnetic fields around FRB 20190520B, which likely indicates the signal traverses a turbulent, magnetized plasma. The significant variation in the Faraday rotation measure (RM)—shifting dramatically from ~10,000 to ~-10,000 and back—suggests complex magnetic field behaviors. This phenomenon could stem from the FRB passing through a magnetic and turbulent environment, possibly influenced by nearby massive stars or black holes. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding these magnetic reversals and the plasma environments surrounding FRBs as critical for elucidating their origins, contributing to broader astronomical and physical knowledge. The findings were published in the journal Science on May 11, underscoring FRB 20190520B’s unique characteristics and its potential for further observational studies.
