filters, but also with long-
slit optical spectroscopy.
FRB 180916. J0158 + 65 was
found to be at the apex
of a prominent V-shaped
star-forming region of a
spiral galaxy located at a
redshift of 0.0337, or about
149.0 Megaparsecs. Figure
2 shows both the optical
image and the spectra at
both the location of FRB
180916. J0158 + 65 and from
the core of the galaxy.
Figure 2.
Gemini North image
and optical spectra
of the source. Panel
A shows the r image
of the host galaxy
and a zoom-in of the
star-forming region
where FRB 180916.
J0158 + 65 is located
(highlighted by the
white cross and red
circle, respectively).
The uncertainty in
the position of FRB
180916.J0158 + 65
is smaller than
the resolution of
the optical image.
Panel B shows the
spectrum extracted
from a 2-arcsecond
aperture around
the position of FRB
180916.J0158 + 65
(orange) and a
5-arcsecond aperture
around the core of the
host galaxy (blue).
Significant emission
lines are labeled.
Towards the
Understanding
of FRBs
The host and local envi-
ronment of FRB 180916.
J0158 + 65 is markedly dif-
ferent and less extreme
than that of the first re-
peating FRB, which was
located inside a low-metal-
licity star-forming region of
a dwarf galaxy, and associ-
ated with a very compact (< 0.7 parsecs) per-
sistent radio counterpart of unclear origin.
This new host also contrasts with the mas-
sive elliptical galaxies where two of the three
localized non-repeating FRBs were located,
where little or no star-formation is present.
However, it may be consistent with the star-
forming galaxy associated with the third lo-
calized non-repeater. The observed diversity
in hosts and local environments may point
to multiple classes of FRBs with different
progenitors.
Many scenarios were proposed to explain
FRB 121102, the first repeating FRB. Several
of them proposed that the bursts originate
from a young and rapidly rotating magne-
tar, either interacting with a superluminous
January 2020 / 2019 Year in Review
supernova or a massive black hole. The for-
mer models could still explain FRB 180916.
J0158 + 65 by invoking an older source, of
approximately 300 years, whereas the latter
seems to be less likely in this case given the
location in the host galaxy (see Marcote et
al., 2020, for further details).
The origin of FRBs remains unclear, and a
large number of precise localizations will be
required to establish the ultimate physical
conditions required to produce these kinds
of bursts. The proximity of FRB 180916.
J0158 + 65, the closest FRB so-far localized,
allows dedicated observations across the
full electromagnetic spectrum, from radio
to very high energy gamma rays, to search
for prompt or persistent multiwavelength
GeminiFocus
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