Rotating RAdio Transients

January 6, 2006 12:21 PM

Rotating RAdio Transients (RRATs) are one of the newest things in radio astronomy. According to Sky and Telescope magazine, a team of astronomers analyzing data from the Parkes Radio Telescope have seen a number of neutron stars that have emitted sporadic but powerful radio bursts. RRATs (pdf) have spin properties that resemble magnetars. The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) could help find many new RRATs.
posted by Fat Guy (12 comments total)

I first heard of RRATs at this morning's Swift Science Planning Meeting. We were hoping to use Swift to observe an RRAT, but that RRAT is too close to the Sun for us to observe it.
posted by Fat Guy at 12:24 PM on January 6, 2006

Cool. I hadnt heard of RRATs. Thanks Fat Guy!
posted by vacapinta at 12:34 PM on January 6, 2006

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>:[
posted by slater at 12:37 PM on January 6, 2006

Sorry Slater. My apologies to Zack and Screech also.
posted by Fat Guy at 12:41 PM on January 6, 2006

Hmm. I wonder if that could have anything to do with the "WOW" signal?
posted by Johnny Assay at 12:56 PM on January 6, 2006

Sky and Telescope has other problems, too. They really don't seem like a very nice company. I subscribe to Astronomy instead.
posted by jiawen at 12:56 PM on January 6, 2006

I wish I had a radio telescope, but I only have $155.

Oh wait, I can get a Radio Jove.
posted by neuron at 1:03 PM on January 6, 2006

Thanks -- always enjoy hearing what's happening in astronomy.
posted by rolypolyman at 1:22 PM on January 6, 2006

thanks for that, neuron. it's fanbloodytastic.
posted by rodney stewart at 6:01 PM on January 6, 2006

I forgot to put in a linky to the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers.
posted by neuron at 9:20 PM on January 6, 2006

Cool!
posted by jiawen at 12:07 AM on January 7, 2006

it's not there anymore. does anyone has a mirror site for this?
posted by sundaymag at 2:56 PM on January 8, 2006