Citizen Scientists Discover Unprecedented “Odd Radio Circle,” Revealing Complex Interactions Between Galaxies adn Black Holes
November 15, 2024 - A team including volunteer “citizen scientists” has identified the most powerful odd radio circle (ORC) discovered to date, offering new insights into the relationship between galaxies, black holes, and the energetic phenomena that shape the cosmos. The revelation, made using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope in Europe, suggests these enigmatic structures may be formed by powerful “superwinds” compressing dormant radio lobes, and are part of a larger family of exotic plasma structures.
The newly identified ORC,designated RAD J131346.9+500320, is particularly striking due to its clarity and the surrounding radio signals detected nearby. These signals originate from two gigantic galaxies within a crowded galaxy cluster, actively blasting out jets of plasma and radio emissions. Researchers believe this activity, combined with the surrounding surroundings, played a key role in shaping the ring-like structure.
“ORCs are among the most bizarre and gorgeous cosmic structures we’ve ever seen-and thay may hold vital clues about how galaxies and black holes co-evolve,hand-in-hand,” said ananda Hota,study lead author and founder of the RAD@home Astronomy Collaboratory for citizen science research,in a statement.
Odd radio circles are only visible using radio telescopes, appearing as faint rings at low frequencies while remaining invisible at other wavelengths. Since their recent emergence into view thanks to advances in radio astronomy, astronomers have been working to determine their origin. Previous theories suggested they could be shockwaves from merging galaxies or black holes, or remnants of supernovas. The new findings add another layer to the puzzle, proposing a connection to galactic superwinds – powerful outflows from energetic events within galaxies.
“These discoveries show that ORCs and radio rings are not isolated curiosities,” noted Pratik Dabhade, study co-author and an astronomer at the National Center for Nuclear Research in Poland, in a statement. “They are part of a broader family of exotic plasma structures shaped by black hole jets, winds, and their environments.”
Significantly, the discovery underscores the value of citizen science in modern astronomy. The initial detection of the signals was made by volunteers using LOFAR, with professional scientists from the RAD@home Astronomy Collaboratory subsequently confirming the findings.
“The fact that citizen scientists uncovered them highlights the continued importance of human pattern recognition, even in the age of machine learning,” Dabhade added.
The research builds on previous work exploring the origins of ORCs, including studies suggesting a bubbly origin and investigations into their proximity to large galaxies. The findings were published in research highlights by the Royal Astronomical Society and detailed in publications by the Astrophysical Journal and Astronomy & Astrophysics.
