Parkes observations for project P938 semester 2016OCTS_BPSR_04

We propose a targeted, 357-hr search of two nearby galaxies with high star-formation rates (SFRs) for fast radio bursts (FRBs). The primary aim of this carefully designed experiment is to test the hypothesis that FRBs are correlated with SFR, and originate in the nearby Universe at typical distances of ~100 Mpc. This hypothesis is supported by leading models for FRBs that invoke extreme forms of young neutron-star emission, and by arguments based on signatures of FRB propagation. If the hypothesis is true, we expect ~20 FRB detections in our observations. In the case of a null result, we will show that FRBs are highly likely to originate at distances beyond ~175 Mpc. Our observations will also allow for the most sensitive search to date (by a factor of 30) for supergiant pulses from extragalactic analogues of the Crab pulsar. By using the 20cm Multibeam receiver, with the central beam pointed at the galaxies of interest, we will additionally perform a standard FRB search in all beams with an expected yield of one serendipitous event. Although we have no guarantee of a higher FRB detection rate than a truly blind survey, our experimental design ensures that we will finish with substantially greater insight into the FRB population.

我们提出一项总时长357小时的靶向观测计划，针对两个恒星形成率（SFRs）较高的邻近星系搜寻快速射电暴（FRBs）。本实验经过精心设计，核心目标为验证如下假说：快速射电暴与恒星形成率存在相关性，且起源于邻近宇宙，典型距离约为100 Mpc。该假说得到了快速射电暴主流理论模型的支持——此类模型将快速射电暴归因于年轻中子星的极端辐射机制，同时也得到基于快速射电暴传播特征的理论论证的佐证。若该假说成立，我们预计本次观测将探测到约20次快速射电暴事件。若观测得到零探测结果，我们将证明快速射电暴的起源距离极有可能超过约175 Mpc。本次观测还将开展针对河外蟹状星云脉冲星类似天体的巨型脉冲搜索，该搜索的灵敏度为迄今最高，相较现有研究提升30倍。我们将采用20厘米多波束接收机，将其中央波束对准目标星系，同时对所有波束开展标准快速射电暴巡天，预计将偶遇1次快速射电暴事件。尽管我们无法保证本次观测的快速射电暴探测率高于纯盲巡天，但本实验设计确保我们能够在观测结束后，对快速射电暴的天体种群获得更为深入的认知。