Parkes observations for project P1171 semester 2023APRS_06

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.\n \n 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）的起源至今尚未明晰，学界已提出海量理论模型以解释其成因。部分模型预言FRB会伴随多波段辐射，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取得任何探测成果。银河系磁星SGR 1935+2154A已被观测到同时发出类FRB爆发与X射线耀斑，这表明河外FRB源或许也存在X射线对应体。

由于X射线卫星造价高昂，且其视场狭小导致FRB探测概率相对偏低，因此协调开展射电与X射线观测在实施层面极具挑战。我们提出一种全新方案，利用XMM-Newton X射线卫星与帕克斯/穆里扬射电望远镜对相关理论模型施加约束：计划借助帕克斯望远镜开展同步天区观测，在XMM-Newton同时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，我们将确保获得同步的X射线观测数据，并能获取伴随X射线的能谱与光变曲线的详细信息——因XMM-Newton的所有观测数据均会在观测完成一年后向公众公开。