New continuum and polarization observations of the Cygnus Loop with FAST I. Data processing and verification

We report on the continuum and polarization observations of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant (SNR) conducted by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). FAST observations provide high angular resolution and high sensitivity images of the SNR, which will help to disentangle its nature. We obtained Stokes I, Q and U maps over the frequency range of 1.03 – 1.46 GHz split into channels of 7.63 kHz. The original angular resolution is in the range of ∼ 3 ′ − ∼ 3 ′ .8 , and we combined all the data at a common resolution of 4 ′ . The temperature scale of the total intensity and the spectral index from the in-band temperature-temperature plot are consistent with previous observations, which validates the data calibration and map-making procedures. The rms sensitivity for the band-averaged total-intensity map is about 20 mK in brightness temperature, which is at the level of confusion limit. For the first time, we apply rotation measure (RM) synthesis to the Cygnus Loop to obtain the polarization intensity and RM maps. The rms sensitivity for polarization is about 5 mK, far below the total-intensity confusion limit. We also obtained RMs of eight extragalactic sources, and demonstrate that the wide-band frequency coverage helps to overcome the ambiguity of RM determinations.

FRB 190520B Embedded in a Magnetar Wind Nebula and Supernova Remnant: A Luminous Persistent Radio Source, Decreasing Dispersion Measure, and Large Rotation Measure

Recently, FRB 190520B, which has the largest extragalactic dispersion measure (DM), was discovered by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). The DM excess over the intergalactic medium and Galactic contributions is estimated as ∼900 pc cm−3, which is nearly ten times higher than that of other fast-radio-burst (FRB) host galaxies. The DM decreases with the rate ∼0.1 pc cm−3 per day. It is the second FRB associated with a compact persistent radio source (PRS). The rotation measure (RM) is found to be larger than 1.8 × 105rad m−2. In this Letter, we argue that FRB 190520B is powered by a young magentar formed by core collapse of massive stars, embedded in a composite of a magnetar wind nebula (MWN) and supernova remnant (SNR). The energy injection of the magnetar drives the MWN and SN ejecta to evolve together and the PRS is generated by the synchrotron radiation of the MWN. The magnetar has an interior magnetic field B int ∼ (2–4) × 1016 G and an age t age ∼ 14–22 yr. The dense SN ejecta and the shocked shell contribute a large fraction of the observed DM and RM. Our model can naturally and simultaneously explain the luminous PRS, decreasing DM, and extreme RM of FRB 190520B.

A fast radio burst source at a complex magnetised site in a barred galaxy

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are highly dispersed radio bursts prevailing in the universe. The recent detection of FRB~200428 from a Galactic magnetar suggested that at least some FRBs originate from magnetars, but it is unclear whether the majority of cosmological FRBs, especially the actively repeating ones, are produced from the magnetar channel. Here we report the detection of 1863 polarised bursts from the repeating source FRB~20201124A during a dedicated radio observational campaign of Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). The large sample of radio bursts detected in 88 hr over 54 days indicate a significant, irregular, short-time variation of the Faraday rotation measure (RM) of the source during the first 36 days, followed by a constant RM during the later 18 days. Significant circular polarisation up to 75\% was observed in a good fraction of bursts. Evidence suggests that some low-level circular polarisation originates from the conversion from linear polarisation during the propagation of the radio waves, but an intrinsic radiation mechanism is required to produce the higher degree of circular polarisation. All of these features provide evidence for a more complicated, dynamically evolving, magnetised immediate environment around this FRB source. Its host galaxy was previously known. Our optical observations reveal that it is a Milky-Way-sized, metal-rich, barred-spiral galaxy at redshift z=0.09795+-0.00003, with the FRB residing in a low stellar density, interarm region at an intermediate galactocentric distance, an environment not directly expected for a young magnetar formed during an extreme explosion of a massive star.

When outliers are different

ABSTRACT When does the presence of an outlier in some measured property indicate that the outlying object differs qualitatively, rather than quantitatively, from other members of its apparent class? Historical astronomical examples include the many types of supernovae and short versus long gamma-ray bursts. A qualitative difference implies that some parameter has a characteristic scale, and hence its distribution cannot be a power law (that can have no such scale). If the distribution is a power law, the objects differ only quantitatively. The applicability of a power law to an empirical distribution may be tested by comparing the most extreme member to its next-most extreme. The probability distribution of their ratio is calculated, and compared to data for stars, radio and X-ray sources, and the fluxes, fluences, and rotation measures of fast radio bursts (FRBs). It is found with high statistical significance that the giant outburst of soft gamma repeater SGR 1806-20 differed qualitatively from its lesser outbursts and FRB 200428 differed qualitatively from other FRBs (by location in the Galaxy), but that in some supernova remnant models of rotation measure FRB 121102 is not, statistically significantly, an outlier.

HISTORY OF LOW-FREQUENCY RESEARCH OF PULSARS

Purpose: The main most pronounced events, which occurred in the initial period of the pulsars’ study at the decameter wavelength range, are presented. The example of the main scientific problems, which were formulated at the very beginning of pulsar research, shows how the emphasis and priorities of these studies have been changing over time, which tasks have finally been solved, and which are still waiting to be solved. It is shown how the ongoing modernization of the UTR-2 radio telescope have allowed to acquire new qualities in astrophysical research being made with this radio telescope and to identify new scientific directions. The example of the cited references shows how the pulsar research efforts in Ukraine have been developed and how they were integrated into the world astrophysical research of these unique objects. The purpose of this work is to show the relationship between the past and the present on the example of pulsars for longer than a semi-centennial period and to show how the scientific problems that were formulated in the past, and which could not be solved under the then-existing technical conditions, were solved by the subsequent generations of researchers. Design/methodology/approach: The methods of comparison and historical parallels show how the low-frequency studies of pulsars have been developed and evolved almost from their discovery until now. Findings: It is shown how quantitative transformations and technical development, as well as non-standard scientific approaches, unhackneyed thought and international cooperation allow to solve complex radio astronomical problems related to the low-frequency studies of pulsars. Conclusions: The paper provides a historical overview of more than half a century-long radio astronomical studies of pulsars, having been and still being made at the decameter band using the UTR-2 radio telescope. The “old” and current priorities in pulsar research are given, and it is shown how qualitatively the technical parameters of back end facility and computer performance have been changed in studying the coherent pulsar radio emission nature. Key words: aberration; frequency band; pulse; interpulse; dispersion measure; rotation measure; plasma; pulsar; radio telescope

28–40 GHz variability and polarimetry of bright compact sources in the QUIJOTE cosmological fields

ABSTRACT We observed 51 sources in the Q-U-I JOint TEnerife (QUIJOTE) cosmological fields that were brighter than 1 Jy at 30 GHz in the Planck Point Source Catalogue (version 1), with the Very Large Array at 28–40 GHz, in order to characterize their high-radio-frequency variability and polarization properties. We find a roughly lognormal distribution of polarization fractions with a median of 2 per cent, in agreement with previous studies, and a median rotation measure (RM) of ≈1110 rad m−2 with one outlier up to ≈64 000 rad m−2, which is among the highest RMs measured in quasar cores. We find hints of a correlation between the total intensity flux density and median polarization fraction. We find 59 per cent of sources are variable in total intensity, and 100 per cent in polarization at 3σ level, with no apparent correlation between total intensity variability and polarization variability. This indicates that it will be difficult to model these sources without simultaneous polarimetric monitoring observations and they will need to be masked for cosmological analysis.

Gaussian Process Modelling for Improved Resolution in Faraday Depth Reconstruction

The incomplete sampling of data in complex polarization measurements from radio telescopes negatively affects both the rotation measure (RM) transfer function and the Faraday depth spectra derived from these data. Such gaps in polarization data are mostly caused by flagging of radio frequency interference and their effects worsen as the percentage of missing data increases. In this paper we present a novel method for inferring missing polarization data based on Gaussian processes (GPs). Gaussian processes are stochastic processes that enable us to encode prior knowledge in our models. They also provide a comprehensive way of incorporating and quantifying uncertainties in regression modelling. In addition to providing non-parametric model estimates for missing values, we also demonstrate that Gaussian process modelling can be used for recovering rotation measure values directly from complex polarization data, and that inferring missing polarization data using this probabilistic method improves the resolution of reconstructed Faraday depth spectra.

Diagnostics of interstellar medium parameters on non-discrete timing irregularities of pulsars

In this paper, a large homogenous sample of Jodrell Bank Observatory (JBO) radio pulsars was used to investigate the statistical effects of interstellar medium (ISM) parameters: dispersion and rotation measure (DM and RM, respectively) on non-discrete timing irregularities of our sample (whose observed timing activity timescales span over 40 years). This is done by using the correlations between the measured DM and RM, and some parameters that have been commonly used to measure non-discrete timing irregularities [timing activity parameter (A), the amount of timing fluctuations absorbed by the cubic term (σR23), measure of pulsar rotational stability (σz ) and stability parameter (∆8)]. Our results show that ISM parameters positively correlate (r > 0.60) with the pulsar timing irregularities parameters of our sample. The significant relationships observed are discussed.

Two years of pulsar observations with the ultra-wide-band receiver on the Parkes radio telescope

ABSTRACT The major programme for observing young, non-recycled pulsars with the Parkes telescope has transitioned from a narrow-band system to an ultra-wide-band system capable of observing between 704 and 4032 MHz. We report here on the initial 2 yr of observations with this receiver. Results include dispersion measure (DM) and Faraday rotation measure (RM) variability with time, determined with higher precision than hitherto, flux density measurements and the discovery of several nulling and mode changing pulsars. PSR J1703−4851 is shown to be one of a small subclass of pulsars that has a weak and a strong mode which alternate rapidly in time. PSR J1114−6100 has the fourth highest |RM| of any known pulsar despite its location far from the Galactic Centre. PSR J1825−1446 shows variations in both DM and RM likely due to its motion behind a foreground supernova remnant.