China's FAST in the Hunt for Nanohertz Gravitational Waves

China's FAST in the Hunt for Nanohertz Gravitational Waves by Simon Mansfield Gerroa, Australia (SPX) Jul 03, 2023

A recent breakthrough in the field of gravitational wave detection has been achieved by scientists in China, who have found vital evidence of nanohertz gravitational waves, thanks to pulsar timing observations performed with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST).

The study was spearheaded by the Chinese Pulsar Timing Array (CPTA), a collaborative group of researchers from the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and various other institutions. The results of their findings were made public in the Chinese journal Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Gravitational waves are effectively distortions or "ripples" in the fabric of space-time, brought about by the movements of massive bodies such as black holes. Despite their weak signals, these waves are an invaluable tool in detecting the elusive dark matter in the universe.

The detection of gravitational waves of nanohertz frequencies promises profound implications for our understanding of the universe's structure. It could unveil the development, evolution, and merging of the universe's most colossal bodies - supermassive black holes.

Nevertheless, the challenge lies in the detection of nanohertz gravitational waves due to their extraordinarily low frequencies. Their periods can span several years, and their wavelengths can reach up to several light-years. Large radio telescopes conducting long-term observations are currently the only known method for their detection.

Li Kejia, the article's corresponding author and a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories, stated that the team currently lacks the ability to identify the astronomical sources of the detected signals due to the relatively short observational period of the current data. However, as subsequent observations extend, this issue will be resolved.

The pursuit of nanohertz gravitational waves has captured the attention of physicists and astronomers worldwide. Research teams in the United States, Europe, and Australia have been gathering pulsar timing data for over 20 years. In contrast, Chinese scientists initiated this line of work using FAST in 2019.

The CPTA credits its rapid progress to FAST's superior sensitivity and robust capacity to monitor pulsars. It is noteworthy that their significant breakthroughs align with those achieved by other global research teams, such as the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves, the European-Indian Pulsar Timing Array, and the Australian Parkes Pulsar Timing Array. These international teams also released comparable results this week.

Related Links Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) The Physics of Time and Space

Scientists find evidence for slow-rolling sea of gravitational waves Pasadena CA (SPX) Jun 30, 2023 Scientists are reporting the first evidence that our Earth and the universe around us are awash in a background of spacetime undulations called gravitational waves. The waves oscillate very slowly over years and even decades and are thought to originate primarily from pairs of supermassive black holes leisurely spiraling together before they merge. The findings, reported in a series of papers in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, come from 15 years' worth of observations made by the North American ... read more

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2023 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.