Long-term project observations for project L134 semester 2026APRS_04

Omega Cen is the largest globular cluster in the Milky Way. It contains at least 18 known MSPs, and there are solid hints for the presence of an even larger pulsar population. We propose a regular monthly follow-up to refine the timing solutions of the five Parkes discoveries from 2020, and to find timing solutions for the 13 MeerKAT discoveries from 2023, in combination with six MeerKAT observations between 2021 and 2023, and future MeerKAT observations. These timing solutions should enable the detection of derivatives of the spin periods of these pulsars, allowing us to probe the dynamics of Omega Cen and the presence of a possible IMBH at its centre. Timing solutions will also enable the search for X-ray and gamma-ray pulsations in the multiple sources detected in this cluster. This study will allow us to better understand the populations of this globular cluster and its formation history. We request observations until 2030, when we expect to have measurements of the second period derivative of the five brighter discoveries, and first period derivative measurements for the later discoveries. These observations will also contribute to the study of eclipsing binaries, and may include future discoveries from pending searches in MeerKAT data.

半人马座ω星团（Omega Cen）是银河系中规模最大的球状星团。目前该星团内已至少发现18颗毫秒脉冲星（Millisecond Pulsar，MSP），且有确凿证据表明其内部脉冲星种群的实际规模更为庞大。我们提议开展常规月度后续观测，以精化2020年帕克斯（Parkes）望远镜发现的5颗脉冲星的计时解，并为2023年MeerKAT望远镜发现的13颗脉冲星求解计时解；观测工作将结合2021至2023年间获取的6次MeerKAT观测数据，以及未来的MeerKAT观测计划。上述计时解将可用于探测这些脉冲星的自转周期导数，借此研究半人马座ω星团的动力学特性，以及其核心是否存在潜在的中等质量黑洞（Intermediate-Mass Black Hole，IMBH）。计时解还将助力搜寻该星团中已探测到的多颗源的X射线与伽马射线脉冲信号。本研究将有助于我们更深入地理解该球状星团的恒星种群及其形成历史。我们申请观测至2030年，届时我们将获得5颗较亮的已发现脉冲星的自转周期二阶导数测量数据，以及后续发现的13颗脉冲星的自转周期一阶导数测量数据。这些观测还将为食双星系统的研究提供支撑，且可纳入未来通过对MeerKAT数据开展待完成搜寻所获得的新发现脉冲星。