Astronomers find neutrino factory in star-forming galaxy, not black hole
6 reported
Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have tracked the source of a powerful neutrino burst to a distant galaxy, challenging initial expectations. Researchers initially suspected a supermassive black hole was powering the galaxy linked to the neutrino signal, but observations revealed the energy comes from intense star formation. The galaxy, nicknamed Shadow Blaster, is located roughly 11 billion light-years from Earth and is heavily veiled by dust. A gravitational lensing effect from a foreground galaxy allowed ALMA to examine the distant galaxy in greater detail. The data showed no sign of a powerful black hole, instead pointing to gas and dust heated primarily by vigorous star formation. The findings suggest that compact, dust-rich starburst galaxies may account for as much as 20% of the total population of high-energy neutrinos observed across the Universe.
What’s reported
The high-energy neutrino event IC 210922A was detected by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole.
The search led to galaxy JCMT0402−0424, nicknamed Shadow Blaster, located roughly 11 billion light-years from Earth.
The galaxy is heavily veiled by dust and shines intensely at submillimeter wavelengths.
A foreground galaxy's gravity bent and amplified radio waves from Shadow Blaster, creating a natural telescope.
Researchers identified a dense "compact core" at the center of Shadow Blaster, about 1,500 light-years across, packed with gas and dust.
The analysis indicates these galaxies may account for as much as 20% of the total population of high-energy neutrinos.
Key figures
Yuji Urata (researcher, journal reference author)
Kuiyun Huang (researcher, journal reference author)
Bunyo Hatsukade (researcher, journal reference author)
Mansi Kasliwal (researcher, journal reference author)
Shigeo S. Kimura (researcher, journal reference author)
Yuichi Matsuda (researcher, journal reference author)
Yusuke Miyamoto (researcher, journal reference author)
Hiroshi Nagai (researcher, journal reference author)
Kouichiro Nakanishi (researcher, journal reference author)
Robert Stein (researcher, journal reference author)
Sources: ScienceDaily
