A fast radio burst’s unlikely source may be a cluster of old stars
Its origin challenges assumptions about what causes these enigmatic signals
![illustration of galaxy M81 next to a cluster of old stars](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/022222_mjg_frb_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
A cluster of old stars orbiting the galaxy M81 (illustrated) is home to an enigmatic source of repeating blasts of radio waves, challenging theories about what causes such bursts.
Danielle Futselaar/ASTRON