Brightest fast radio burst provides scientists a new insight into the fabric of universe

A powerful, enigmatic burst of radio waves from far, far away, at least a billion light years away is giving astronomers a chance to map the universe like never before.

This peculiar phenomenon known as strange fast radio burst (FRB) travelled through space and was recorded on Australian radio telescope last year.

This has apparently given scientists a new insight into the fabric of the universe.

Some important facts related to FRBs:

#This is the 18^th fast radio burst, or FRB, that’s ever been found.

#Researchers still do not know what causes these flares.

#These burst last for just milliseconds at a time and their possible explanations range from evaporating black holes to alien communication.

#In August 2015, the Parkes telescope in southern Australia recorded the brightest burst yet seen, dubbed FRB 150807.

#Until now, it remains unclear whether the ultrafast bursts were glitches made by telescopes on Earth or were products of the inside of Milky Way galaxy.

#This FRB is the first detected to date to contain detailed information about the cosmic web.

#FRBs can be used to trace their cosmic host galaxies and offer a unique way to probe intergalactic space.

#Some scientists believe that these FRBs could be the product of large cosmic explosions like supernovae, colliding black holes, pulsars, magnetars or even gamma ray bursts.