The low density and magnetization of a massive galaxy halo exposed by a fast radio burst
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Open access via publisher
Authors
Prochaska, J.X.
Macquart, Jean-Pierre
McQuinn, M.
Simha, S.
Shannon, Ryan
Day, C.K.
Marnoch, L.
Ryder, S.
Deller, A.
Bannister, K.W.
Bhandari, S.
Bordoloi, R.
Bunton, J.
Cho, H.
Flynn, C.
Mahony, E.K.
Phillips, C.
Qiu, H.
Tejos, N.
Date
2019Type
Journal Article
Metadata
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Prochaska, J.X. and Macquart, J.P. and McQuinn, M. and Simha, S. and Shannon, R.M. and Day, C.K. and Marnoch, L. et al. 2019. The low density and magnetization of a massive galaxy halo exposed by a fast radio burst. Science. 366 (6462): pp. 231-234.
Source Title
Science
ISSN
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Engineering
School
School of Elec Eng, Comp and Math Sci (EECMS)
Funding and Sponsorship
Collection
Abstract
Present-day galaxies are surrounded by cool and enriched halo gas extending for hundreds of kiloparsecs. This halo gas is thought to be the dominant reservoir of material available to fuel future star formation, but direct constraints on its mass and physical properties have been difficult to obtain. We report the detection of a fast radio burst (FRB 181112), localized with arcsecond precision, that passes through the halo of a foreground galaxy. Analysis of the burst shows that the halo gas has low net magnetization and turbulence. Our results imply predominantly diffuse gas in massive galactic halos, even those hosting active supermassive black holes, contrary to some previous results.