MeerKAT telescope uncovers mysterious cosmic ring near Milky Way centre
The latest discovery by the MeerKAT radio telescope sheds new light on the mysteries of the cosmos. The mysterious radio ring, known as Kýklos, has stirred excitement among scientists with its unusual, nearly perfectly circular structure and location near the centre of the Milky Way.
2 September 2024 07:07
The universe never ceases to amaze us, and the latest example is the mysterious radio ring discovered by the MeerKAT radio telescope. This extraordinary object, named Kýklos, seems unlike anything previously observed. Its almost perfectly circular shape and location near the Milky Way's centre have drawn astronomers' interest worldwide. Are we dealing with a new type of cosmic phenomenon? What secrets does this enigmatic ring hold? This discovery raises many questions that scientists are only beginning to explore.
Unusual discovery using a radio telescope
The mysterious radio ring was discovered thanks to the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, one of the most advanced tools for studying the cosmos. This discovery occurred near the centre of our galaxy, in a direction that had not been closely studied before. The ring, known as Kýklos, stands out due to its nearly perfect, circular shape, making it unique and challenging to explain.
It's worth noting that similar structures, called Odd Radio Circles (ORCs), were first identified in 2020 by the ASKAP radio telescope in Australia. However, Kýklos differs from ORCs because it is smaller, closer, and not accompanied by any galaxy. This discovery poses new challenges for scientists because the mysterious Kýklos radio ring doesn't fit into any known category of cosmic objects.
What is Kýklos?
The mysterious radio ring Kýklos remains an enigma to scientists. Its exact nature has not yet been determined, but several theories exist. The first suggests that Kýklos may have formed due to mass loss by a massive star, possibly belonging to the rare Wolf-Rayet class. These stars are known for causing various hard-to-explain astronomical phenomena.
Despite intensive research, it is still unknown how far away Kýklos is or what objects may be associated with it. This discovery introduces some confusion, as there is no certainty whether it is a phenomenon similar to previously known Odd Radio Circles or represents an entirely new class of astronomical objects. Its location, near the centre of the Milky Way, and the lack of visibility in other wavelengths suggest it may be a unique object.
