Parkes observations for project P1171 semester 2022OCTS_11

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）的起源至今尚未明确，学界已提出大量相关理论模型。部分理论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探测结果。观测发现银河系磁星SGR 1935+2154A同时爆发了类快速射电暴的脉冲与X射线耀发，这表明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，且其视场较小导致快速射电暴探测概率偏低，协调开展射电与X射线联合观测在执行层面难度极大。我们提出一种全新的研究路径，借助X射线卫星XMM-Newton与帕克斯/穆里扬射电望远镜，对现有理论模型施加约束：我们计划利用帕克斯望远镜，在XMM-Newton同步覆盖的天区开展跟随观测，搜寻新的快速射电暴。我们将本次研究的目标定为邻近（低红移）星系的常规XMM-Newton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，我们即可确保获得同步的X射线覆盖数据，并获取该快速射电暴伴随的X射线能谱与光变曲线的详细信息。