I-LOFAR observations of the transient universe at low frequencies
Loading...
Files
Full Text E-thesis
Date
2023
Authors
Kyprianou, Jake
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University College Cork
Published Version
Abstract
This work concerns using the Irish radio telescope, I-LOFAR, to observe the recent astronomical phenomenon of Fast Radio Bursts. Fast Radio Bursts are a novel type of radio transient, extremely powerful radio bursts that last only a few milliseconds. All but one of these bursts has come from beyond our Galaxy. The discovery of a repeating FRB source FRB180916B that produces bursts in a 5-day long window every 16 days prompted the question, could we use the Irish LOFAR telescope to observe these bursts? Recent detections of FRB180916B by a variety of telescopes across a range of frequencies has seen abnormal behaviour in bursts at low frequency. If I-LOFAR could be used to observe FRBs we could investigate this behaviour in other repeaters.
In this thesis I investigate using I-LOFAR to make such a detection. Using 72 hours on FRB180916B and 8 hours on Galactic magnetar SGR1935+2154 which was found to be a Galactic FRB source. No bursts were detected above fluence thresholds of 200 Jy ms and 273 Jy ms respectively at 150MHz. I present theoretical arguments on the viability of detecting an FRB, based on observational properties of FRBs and the limitations of I-LOFAR. I also discuss the other implications of our non-detection based on new knowledge of the activities of these two sources. The consequences of a potential successful detection in the future are discussed as are possible strategies to maximise our chances of a detection.
The data processing is performed using the REALtime Transient Acquisition cluster, REALTA, located at the site of I-LOFAR in Birr, Co. Offaly.
Description
Keywords
FRB , Radio astronomy , LOFAR , Neutron stars
Citation
Kyprianou, J. 2023. I-LOFAR observations of the Transient Universe at low frequencies. MSc Thesis, University College Cork.