Radio signals from space: Scientists uncover giant radio ‘bubbles’ in centre of Milky Way

It is possible the electrons accelerating inside them are the source of blindingly-bright “filaments” of matter tens of parsecs long that stretching from the Milky Way core.

Even larger bubbles, towering over those seen by MeerKAT’s, have been seen in the γ-ray part of the spectrum, and could have a similar origin.

The 4.4 billion rand (£267 million) MeerKAT is an array of 64 radio dishes, each 13.5 metres across, based in Northern Cape province.

MeerKAT will form the core of the South African part of the SKA, due to be built in the coming decade.

The observatory’s second section will be in Australia.