# Are repeating and one-off sources one population or several? · Fast radio bursts and the origin of the one-off bursts > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/questions/QST0CVCMBMP0WB0/are-repeating-and-one-off-sources-one-population-or-several Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:23+00:00 --- **0** # Are repeating and one-off sources one population or several? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet. ## Why it matters If every source repeats given enough time, the one-off question reduces to the repeater question; if not, there are at least two kinds of source⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM42G79FB/one-or-several-populations-of-fast-radio-burst-sources). The CHIME catalogues give the first uniform test⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM1CJ2F7B/the-first-chime-frb-fast-radio-burst-catalog)⁠[[3]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM1W62AJ7/the-second-chime-frb-catalog-of-fast-radio-bursts). ## Answers 3 [**All sources repeat; apparent one-offs are repeaters whose other bursts have not been seen, and differences…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/answers/ANS0CVCMHZT5NMN/all-sources-repeat-apparent-one-offs-are-repeaters-whose) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 2 for Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/answers/ANS0CVCMKEP359M/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Repeaters and one-off sources are physically different classes.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/answers/ANS0CVCMJQ83ECS/repeaters-and-one-off-sources-are-physically-different) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 2 for Still possible ## History 1. 2018[Caleb et al. puts forward: all sources repeat; apparent one-offs are repeaters whose other bursts have not been seen, and differences…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM42G79FB/one-or-several-populations-of-fast-radio-burst-sources) 1. 2021[Pleunis et al. puts forward: repeaters and one-off sources are physically different classes.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM1MC6R9J/fast-radio-burst-morphology-in-the-first-chime-frb-catalog) 1. 2021[CHIME/FRB Collaboration et al.: repeaters and apparent non-repeaters share sky positions and dispersion measures.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM1CJ2F7B/the-first-chime-frb-fast-radio-burst-catalog)For: All sources repeat; apparent one-offs are repeaters whose other bursts have not been seen, and differences… 1. 2021[Pleunis et al.: repeater bursts are on average wider in time and narrower in bandwidth.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM1MC6R9J/fast-radio-burst-morphology-in-the-first-chime-frb-catalog)For: Repeaters and one-off sources are physically different classes. 1. 2025[Mankatwit et al.: a semi-supervised classifier flags 36 apparent one-off sources as repeater candidates.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM68T48MA/revealing-hidden-repeaters-in-the-chime-frb-catalogue)For: All sources repeat; apparent one-offs are repeaters whose other bursts have not been seen, and differences… 1. 2025[An et al.: persistent radio sources surround some active repeaters but not the bright one-off FRB 20250316A.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CVCM59J59FZ/a-deep-vla-search-for-a-persistent-radio-counterpart-to-the)For: Repeaters and one-off sources are physically different classes. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/questions/QST0CVCMBMP0WB0/are-repeating-and-one-off-sources-one-population-or-several%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/questions/QST0CVCMBMP0WB0/are-repeating-and-one-off-sources-one-population-or-several%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/questions/QST0CVCMBMP0WB0/are-repeating-and-one-off-sources-one-population-or-several%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/questions/QST0CVCMBMP0WB0/are-repeating-and-one-off-sources-one-population-or-several%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/questions/QST0CVCMBMP0WB0/are-repeating-and-one-off-sources-one-population-or-several%23add-source) Where it fits Fast radio bursts and the origin of the one-off bursts **Are repeating and one-off sources one population or several?** Key question · you're here [Are the brightest one-off bursts the tail of one distribution or a separate class?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/fast-radio-bursts/questions/QST0CVCMBWG1P3D/are-the-brightest-one-off-bursts-the-tail-of-one)Open · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]