Twisted Magnetic Fields in Fast Radio Bursts: Possible Alien Contact?

Astronomers have observed a repeating fast radio burst (FRB) for over a year and discovered signs that it is surrounded by a strong but highly changeable magnetic field. The source of this cosmic explosion may be a binary system made up of a neutron star whirling through winds of dense, magnetized plasma produced by a massive companion star or even a black hole. The changes in the magnetic field around the repeating FRB suggest that it is highly magnetized, and the strength of the magnetic field appeared to vary over the 16 months of observation. Future observations will reveal whether FRB 20190520B is truly in a binary system.