Parkes observations for project P1171 semester 2023APRS_08

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）的起源至今尚无定论，学界已提出大量相关理论模型。部分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。银河系磁星SGR 1935+2154A已被观测到同时爆发类快速射电暴脉冲与X射线耀斑，这一现象暗示河外快速射电暴源或许也存在对应的X射线辐射。

由于X射线卫星的部署与运营成本高昂，且其视场狭小导致快速射电暴的探测概率相对较低，因此协调开展射电与X射线联合观测在实施层面极具挑战。本研究提出一种全新方案：依托X射线卫星XMM-Newton与帕克斯/穆里扬射电望远镜（Parkes/Murriyang），对快速射电暴的相关理论模型施加观测约束。我们计划利用帕克斯望远镜，在XMM-Newton同步覆盖的天区中搜寻新的快速射电暴；本次研究的目标为邻近（低红移）星系的常规XMM观测天区，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快速射电暴，我们将获得确定的同步X射线观测数据；且由于所有XMM-Newton的观测数据均会在观测结束一年后公开，我们还将获取该对应体的详细X射线能谱与光变曲线信息。