Indian astronomers have found 34 new giant alien radio sources using the GMRT near Pune!

Giant Radio Galaxies (GRGs) are radio galaxies that have expanded to sizes spanning megaparsecs. To put this in perspective, while the Milky Way galaxy is approximately 100,000 light-years wide, GRGs stretch across millions of light-years. Ironically, it is their immense size that makes GRGs rare and challenging to detect. One possible formation scenario for GRGs involves the powerful radio jets from a galaxy extending into relatively empty regions of intergalactic space.

In an astonishing leap forward for astronomy, a team of Indian researchers has uncovered 34 new GRSs using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). This discovery, not only a testament to India's growing prominence in the field of space exploration, provides fresh insights into the enigmatic behaviour of the universe’s largest and most mysterious structures.


This groundbreaking discovery stems from the TIFR GMRT Sky Survey (TGSS), conducted between 2010 and 2012. Covering about 90% of the sky at 150 MHz, the survey has become a treasure trove for astronomers. The team, comprising PhD students Netai Bhukta and Souvik Manik, and astronomers Sabyasachi Pal and Sushanta K Mondal, delved into the TGSS Alternative Data Release 1, leveraging GMRT’s exceptional sensitivity at low frequencies to uncover these colossal structures.

Giant radio sources are cosmic behemoths, stretching millions of light-years across and representing the final stage of radio galaxy evolution. Their sheer size and rarity have long puzzled scientists. The recent discovery of 34 new GRSs, among the most distant ever detected, challenges the prevailing theories about their growth. Notably, two of these objects defy the conventional understanding that GRSs predominantly expand in low-density environments, suggesting that other factors contribute to their enormous size.


The GMRT, operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), is situated near Khodad village, 90 km north of Pune. This state-of-the-art facility has placed India at the forefront of radio astronomy, enabling scientists to peer deep into the universe and uncover its secrets. The success of this discovery underscores India’s growing capabilities and ambitions in space research, marking a significant milestone for the country’s scientific community.

The study of GRSs is not merely an academic exercise; it has profound implications for our understanding of the universe. These giant structures provide critical insights into the behaviour of the intergalactic medium and the complex interactions between black holes and their surrounding environments. By examining these massive entities, scientists can better understand the distribution of matter in the cosmos and the forces shaping the evolution of galaxies.

With plans to present new GRS samples in forthcoming articles, the researchers aim to conduct detailed analyses based on multiwavelength observations. These studies will further unravel the mysteries surrounding the formation and growth of giant radio sources, contributing to our broader understanding of the universe.