Astronomers have unveiled an extraordinary new discovery: a distant galaxy surrounded by two intersecting rings of radio light. These remarkable structures, known as “Odd Radio Circles” (ORCs), measure approximately 300,000 light-years in diameter. The discovery was made by volunteers participating in the RAD@home Astronomy Collaboratory citizen-science program based in Mumbai.
The newly identified ORC, designated as RAD J131346.9+500320, is notable for being the most distant and powerful ORC ever observed. This galaxy is so far away that astronomers are viewing it as it existed when the universe was just half its current age of 13.8 billion years. The light from this galaxy has taken a significant amount of time to reach Earth, adding to its intriguing nature.
Unique Characteristics of the Discovery
What sets RAD J131346.9+500320 apart is its composition of two overlapping circles, a phenomenon that has only been documented once before. Ananda Hota, founder of the RAD@home program, described ORCs as “among the most bizarre and beautiful cosmic structures we’ve ever seen.” He emphasized their potential to provide crucial insights into the co-evolution of galaxies and black holes.
This particular ORC is embedded within a much larger radio cloud, which spans nearly 3 million light-years. The discovery, detailed in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, was facilitated by LOFAR, a network of antennas located across the Netherlands and other European nations. Unlike typical celestial phenomena, ORCs can only be detected using radio telescopes, which is why the contributions of citizen scientists were invaluable in uncovering this cosmic mystery.
Possible Explanations for ORC Formation
The origins of ORCs remain largely speculative. Researchers suggest that these circular structures may be formed by powerful winds emitted from certain galaxies. These winds can expel materials into the surrounding space, shaping them into the distinct rings observed.
In addition to the double-ring phenomenon, the RAD@home program has identified two other ORCs. In one case, designated RAD J122622.6+640622, astronomers observed a galaxy nearly 3 million light-years across, where one of its jets created a sudden curve, forming a ring of radio light approximately 100,000 light-years wide. Another example, RAD J142004.0+621715, exhibited a galaxy stretching 1.4 million light-years, featuring a similar radio ring at the tip of one of its jets.
Co-author Pratik Dabhade from the National Centre for Nuclear Research in Poland remarked on the significance of these findings, stating, “ORCs and radio rings are not isolated curiosities. They are part of a broader family of exotic plasma structures shaped by black hole jets, winds, and their environments.”
As research progresses, the implications of these discoveries may enhance our understanding of the intricate dynamics of galaxies and their cosmic surroundings. The collaboration between professional astronomers and citizen scientists continues to yield remarkable insights into the mysteries of the universe, illustrating the potential of collective efforts in advancing scientific knowledge.
