Parkes observations for project P1171 semester 2023OCTS_09

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, to increase our detection chances of possibly associated X-ray emission. 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 since all XMM-Newton data will become public a year after the observation.

快速射电暴（Fast Radio Bursts, FRBs）的起源至今仍未明确，学界已提出大量相关理论模型。部分模型预言其存在多波段伴随辐射，但此前针对FRB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。已观测到银河系磁星SGR 1935+2154A同时爆发类FRB爆发与X射线耀发，这表明河外FRB源或许也存在X射线对应体。由于X射线卫星研发成本高昂，且其视场较小导致FRB探测概率相对较低，因此协调开展射电与X射线观测在组织实施上极具难度。我们提出一种全新方案，借助XMM-牛顿X射线卫星与帕克斯/穆里扬射电望远镜，对FRB相关理论模型施加约束：我们计划利用帕克斯望远镜，在XMM-牛顿同步覆盖的天区中搜寻新的FRB。我们将以邻近（低红移）星系的常规XMM观测天区为目标，以提升探测到潜在伴随X射线辐射的概率。若在射电波段探测到FRB，我们将获得同步的X射线观测数据，并能获取该对应体的详细X射线光谱与光变曲线信息——因为所有XMM-牛顿的观测数据都会在观测结束一年后公开。