Editing 2226: Recombination And Reionization

{{comic
| number    = 2226
| date      = November 8, 2019
| title     = Recombination And Reionization
| image     = recombination_and_reionization.png
| titletext = These signals seem to be pre-star-formation but post-Malone.
}}

==Explanation==
The {{w|hydrogen line}} is a {{w|spectral line}} of neutral (un-ionized) hydrogen atoms. The electrons in an atom have a property called spin, equal to either 1/2 or -1/2, and one "spin state" of the electron in neutral hydrogen has slightly more energy than the other spin state. This means that when the electron in a hydrogen atom spontaneously switches its spin state, it releases a photon at a certain frequency called the hydrogen line. This line falls in the {{w|microwave}} region of the electromagnetic spectrum, with a frequency of ~1.42 gigahertz (GHz). The wavelength corresponding to this frequency is about 21.1 centimeters, giving it the common name of the 21-centimeter line. In this comic, [[Ponytail]] is attempting to detect the signal of this emission line from the ancient universe, although due to {{w|redshift}}, the line's frequency has decreased from 1.4 GHz to only ~100 megahertz (MHz), putting it in the current {{w|FM broadcast band}}. In most parts of the world, FM radio makes use of frequencies from 87.5 to 108 MHz.

The problem that FM radio and the signal for which Ponytail is searching overlap in frequency quickly becomes apparent when tuning to the frequency detects a local radio station rather than the desired signal. The radio station is called Hot 92.7: The Vibe; this indicates that Ponytail is searching for a signal at 92.7 MHz, but there is a [https://vibe927miami.com/ radio station] interfering with it. She demonstrates this to [[Cueball]] by playing the live signal for him, but says that once the radio DJ stops talking, their research will result in a {{w|Nobel Prize}}. This is unlikely, as most radio stations broadcast 24 hours a day without ever stopping (except in cases of power failure, which may also affect Ponytail's radio telescope). An unstated joke is that Ponytail's observational setup receives the FM radio signal at all; any actual {{w|radio telescope}} would have incorporated methods from its inception to exclude local sources of radio signals such as FM radio.

Cueball points out that perhaps the signal is what the supposed primordial hydrogen line actually sounds like during the phase of universe formation called {{w|reionization}}. Ponytail jokes back that the primordial universe must enjoy playing popular singer {{w|Selena Gomez}}. Although it is theoretically possible that a naturally occurring radio transmission might sound like music to humans, it would not contain clearly understandable coherent sentences in a language that did not exist when the transmission was created.{{fact}}

The title text refers to the signal Ponytail is detecting, claiming that it originates from before the formation of the first stars in the universe (which took place approximately 150 to 200 million years after the {{w|Big Bang}}), but is additionally post-Malone. "{{w|Post Malone}}" is the stage name of a popular hip hop musician and singer, so this is a play on words, as the "Post" in his stage name isn't referring to "after" something, but is simply his (real) last name, and perhaps a play on the expression "a star is born" for an artist becoming a famous celebrity.

==Transcript==

:[Panel showing Ponytail sitting working at some type of console, possibly in her laboratory. Cueball is standing on the other side of the console, facing her.]
:Ponytail: Our lab is trying to pick up the spin line of neutral hydrogen. It's the only radiation from the era before the first stars formed.

:[Panel showing Ponytail and Cueball.  Ponytail has paused working, with one hand raised off the console.]
:Ponytail: It was 1.4 GHz at first, but by now it's redshifted to the 100-MHz range.
:Cueball: Isn't that also where FM radio broadcasts?

:[Frameless panel showing Ponytail and Cueball.  Ponytail is pressing a key on the console to enable and disable a live signal from her lab's equipment.]
:Ponytail: Yeah. That's the problem.  Listen:
:Sound of keypress on console: *Click*
:Audio signal from console: ''You're tuned to Hot 92.7: the Vibe! Coming up next...''
:Sound of keypress on console: *Click*

:[Panel showing Ponytail and Cueball.  Ponytail has resumed working at the console, and Cueball has raised a hand to his chin.]
:Ponytail: But once this guy stops talking, that Nobel Prize will be '''''ours'''''.
:Cueball: Maybe that's not a station &ndash; maybe that's just what reionization sounds like.
:Ponytail: Reionization plays a lot of Selena Gomez.


{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]]
[[Category:Cosmology]]
[[Category:Comics featuring real people]]
[[Category:Nobel Prize]]