Cosmic Space Laser: Gigamaser Detected in Distant Galaxy
Astronomers using the MeerKAT radio telescope detected a record-breaking microwave laser (a gigamaser) in a galaxy about 8 billion light-years away, magnified by gravitational lensing. The emission, arising from excited hydroxyl molecules during a galaxy merger, is roughly 100,000 times the luminosity of a star and is the most powerful maser yet observed. Upgrades to MeerKAT could uncover hundreds to thousands more such megamasers, offering insight into conditions in the distant universe.