Parkes observations for project P1171 semester 2023APRS_02

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）的起源至今仍不明朗，学界已提出大量相关理论模型。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γ射线对应体的搜寻均未获得任何探测结果。银河系磁星SGR 1935+2154A被观测到同时爆发类FRB暴与X射线耀斑，这暗示河外FRB源或许也存在X射线对应体。由于X射线卫星造价高昂，且其视场较小导致FRB探测概率相对偏低，协调开展射电与X射线观测在实施层面难度极大。我们提出一种全新方案：利用XMM-牛顿（XMM-Newton）X射线卫星与帕克斯/穆里扬（Parkes/Murriyang）射电望远镜，对相关理论模型施加约束。我们计划针对XMM-牛顿对近邻低红移（low-z）星系的常规观测天区，利用帕克斯望远镜开展同步观测以搜寻新的FRB，以此提升探测伴随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射线覆盖数据；且由于所有XMM-牛顿观测数据会在观测完成一年后公开，我们能够获取对应X射线光谱与光变曲线的详细信息。