FRB 121102
FRB 121102 is a repeating fast radio burst in the constellation Auriga, about 3 billion light-years (z = 0.193) from Earth.
The first confirmed repeating fast radio burst, discovered at Arecibo Observatory in November 2012 and precisely localized in 2017. Its host is a small, star-forming dwarf galaxy roughly 3 billion light-years away (z = 0.193) in the direction of Auriga — too distant and too imprecisely boxed here to plot to scale alongside our own galaxy's pulsars.
Facts
| Type | Repeating fast radio burst |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Auriga |
| Position (J2000) | 5h 31m 58s, +33° 08′ |
| Distance | 3 billion light-years (z = 0.193) |
When and how to see it
FRB 121102 is highest in the sky at midnight in December. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 77° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 73°.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Auriga
- Capella
- Epsilon Aurigae
- Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405)
- M37 (NGC 2099)
- Pinwheel Cluster (M36)
- Starfish Cluster (M38)
- Tadpoles Nebula
- Westbrook Nebula
Everything in Auriga · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: · Deep Sky Monitor's own notes · Data sources & credits