Parkes observations for project P456 semester 2023OCTS_10

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. We are now in an exciting regime where a signal detected in our (and other data sets) has the form expected for a gravitational wave background. We are therefore now attempting to confirm, or deny, this exciting result. With this proposal we aim to maintain our pre-eminent position in the field.\r\n\r\nUnlike most observing proposals, this is a continuing proposal for which the observations will continue to improve bounds on ultra-low-frequency gravitational waves until they are finally detected. Continued Parkes observations will remain valuable at least until the first stage of the SKA is able to improve on our sensitivity and observing cadence. Even after the gravitational wave background is detected we will want to continue observations in support of the nascent field of gravitational wave astronomy!

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）探测来自天体源的引力波，（b）建立脉冲星时标系统，（c）深化对太阳系动力学的认知。当前我们正处于令人振奋的研究阶段——我们（及其他数据集）所探测到的信号，其形式恰好符合引力波背景的预期特征。因此我们正尝试证实或推翻这一突破性成果。藉由本提案，我们旨在维持自身在该领域的领先地位。

与多数观测提案不同，本提案属于持续性项目，相关观测将持续收紧超低频引力波的参数约束边界，直至最终成功探测到该信号。帕克斯望远镜的持续观测至少将保有其科学价值，直到平方公里阵列（Square Kilometre Array, SKA）的首期项目能够在灵敏度与观测时序上实现超越。即便引力波背景被成功探测，我们仍需持续开展观测，以支撑这一新兴的引力波天文学领域发展！