Parkes observations for project P1171 semester 2022OCTS_03

The origin of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) is still unclear with a plethora of theoretical models for their origin. Several models predict associated multi-wavelength emission, but previous searches for optical, X-ray or gamma-ray counterparts of FRBs have not led to any detection. The Galactic magnetar SGR 1935+2154A has been observed to simultaneously emit FRB-like bursts and X-ray flares, which suggests that also extragalactic FRB sources may exhibit X-ray counterparts. Because of the high cost of X-ray satellites and in face of the relatively low FRB detection probability in their small field of view, coordinated radio and X-ray observations are logistically very difficult to set up. We propose a new approach using the X-ray satellite XMM-Newton and the Parkes/Murriyang radio telescope to put constraints on the theoretical models: We aim to conduct shadowing observations with the Parkes telescope to search for new FRBs in fields that are simultaneously covered by XMM-Newton. We hereby target regular XMM observations of nearby (low-z) galaxies, since objects of this type have been previously identified as FRB hosts. In case of an FRB detection in the radio band, we will have guaranteed simultaneous X-ray coverage and will get detailed information about the associated X-ray spectrum and light curve.

快速射电暴（Fast Radio Bursts, FRBs）的起源至今仍未明确，学界已提出海量相关理论模型。诸多模型预言快速射电暴会伴随多波段辐射，但此前针对快速射电暴的光学、X射线或伽马射线对应体的搜寻均未获得任何有效探测结果。银道面内的磁星（magnetar）SGR 1935+2154A被观测到同时释放类快速射电暴爆发与X射线耀斑，这暗示河外快速射电暴源或许也存在X射线对应体。由于X射线卫星造价高昂，且其视场狭小导致快速射电暴的探测概率相对偏低，协同开展射电与X射线观测在实施层面极具挑战性。我们提出一种全新方案：借助XMM-牛顿卫星（XMM-Newton）与帕克斯/穆里扬射电望远镜（Parkes/Murriyang）对相关理论模型施加约束。我们计划利用帕克斯望远镜开展同步天区观测，在XMM-牛顿卫星同时覆盖的天区中搜寻新的快速射电暴。本次观测将瞄准邻近（低红移，low-z）星系的常规XMM观测计划，因为此类天体此前已被证实为快速射电暴的宿主星系。若在射电波段探测到快速射电暴，我们将获得确定的同步X射线覆盖数据，并能获取其伴随X射线光谱与光变曲线的详细信息。