Parkes observations for project P456 semester 2013OCTS

The Parkes Pulsar Timing Array (PPTA) project has three primary goals: (a) detection of gravitational waves from astronomical sources, (b) establishment of a pulsar timescale, and (c) improvement of our understanding of Solar-system dynamics. There are many secondary goals, some astrophysical and some instrumental/technique oriented. Achievement of these ambitious primary goals requires frequent observations of at least 20 MSPs at two or preferably three widely spaced frequencies over several years. We wish to continue observing the PPTA sample at intervals of 2-3 weeks using both the 10/50cm and Multibeam receivers. The digital filterbanks (PDFB3, PDFB4) and the baseband systems (CPSR2; APSR) are used for data recording. With the new instruments and development of an efficient pipeline processing system, we have achieved the world's best pulsar timing precision. We are collaborating with the European and North American pulsar timing array groups (EPTA and NANOGrav, respectively) to obtain more frequent observations and a larger pulsar sample. Because of the high sensitivity and wide bandwidths required, RFI mitigation is an important part of the project.\r\n\r\nWe request continuing status for this project.帕克斯脉冲星计时阵列（Parkes Pulsar Timing Array, PPTA）项目拥有三大核心目标：（a）探测来自天文天体的引力波，（b）建立脉冲星时标系统，（c）深化对太阳系动力学的认知。本项目同时兼具诸多次要目标，涵盖天体物理与仪器/技术两大研究方向。要达成这些宏伟的核心目标，需要在数年周期内，以高频观测至少20颗毫秒脉冲星（millisecond pulsars, MSPs），观测频段需覆盖两个、最好三个宽间隔波段。我们计划以2至3周的观测间隔，持续使用10/50厘米接收机与多波束接收机（Multibeam receivers）对PPTA的观测样本开展观测。数据记录环节采用数字滤波器组（PDFB3、PDFB4）与基带系统（CPSR2、APSR）。依托新型仪器设备与高效流水线处理系统的研发，我们已实现全球顶尖的脉冲星计时精度。我们正与欧洲、北美脉冲星计时阵列团队（分别为EPTA与NANOGrav）展开合作，以获取更频繁的观测数据并扩大脉冲星样本规模。鉴于项目所需的高灵敏度与宽带宽特性，射频干扰（Radio Frequency Interference, RFI）抑制是本项目的重要组成部分。 我们恳请为本项目提供持续的运行支持。