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 Megapar-
secs. 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
different and less ex-
treme than that of the
first repeating FRB, which
was located inside a low-
metallicity star-forming
region of a dwarf galaxy,
and associated with a
very compact (< 0.7 par-
secs) persistent radio counterpart of unclear
origin. This new host also contrasts with the
massive 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 localized 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
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
GeminiFocus
7