Parkes observations for project P1039 semester 2020APRS_02

Rotating Radio Transients (RRATs) are a group of sporadically emitting neutron stars. Their erratic single-pulse emission makes them hard to detect and consequently, our knowledge of even the basic parameters of the population is lacking. Here we propose an ambitious project to systematically review the spectral and rotational parameters of a large fraction (29) of the known RRAT population in the southern hemisphere, roughly 90 per cent of those that are well localised. Our project plays to the strengths of the newly commissioned Parkes UWL receiver and backend system, its wide 3.3-GHz instantaneous frequency coverage, excellent sensitivity and ability to coherently remove the effects of dispersion in the interstellar medium. The data will enable us to measure their absolute calibrated flux densities, polarimetric profiles, spectral behaviour, detection rates, inter-pulse waiting times and rotational parameters. Our measurements are crucial to understanding whether the RRATs form a distinct class from the ordinary radio pulsars and will inform observations and RRAT yields of surveys at upcoming facilities. Additionally, they will elucidate any potential relationship with pulses from repeating Fast Radio Bursts.

旋转射电暂现源（Rotating Radio Transients, RRATs）是一类间歇性发射的中子星。其不规则的单脉冲发射特性导致它们难以被探测，因此即便对于该天体群体的基础参数，我们的认知仍存在显著缺失。本研究提出一项颇具雄心的计划，将系统性地梳理南半球已知RRAT群体中的29个个体，该样本约占定位精度良好的已知RRAT总数的90%。本计划将充分依托新投入运行的帕克斯UWL接收机与后端系统的优势：其具备3.3-GHz的宽瞬时频率覆盖范围、优异的灵敏度，且能够相干消除星际介质的色散效应。本次观测获取的数据将支持我们测量这些天体的绝对定标流量密度、偏振轮廓、光谱特性、探测率、脉冲间隔等待时间以及自转参数。上述测量结果对于厘清RRATs是否为一类独立于普通射电脉冲星的独特天体群体至关重要，同时可为未来观测设备的巡天观测以及RRATs的探测产出提供科学参考。此外，本研究还将阐明RRATs与重复快速射电暴脉冲之间的潜在关联。