Special AstroPhysics Seminar - "Pinpointing fast radio bursts in space and time"

Jason Hessels (University of Amsterdam)

Jul 1, 2022 10:00 AM
Location: Zoom
Special Astrophysics Seminar

Special seminar organized by the Department of Physics, more info here


Title: Pinpointing fast radio bursts in space and time

Abstract:

In the past decade we have started to explore extragalactic and intergalactic space using millisecond-duration radio flashes called `fast radio bursts' (FRBs). These cosmological signals are surprisingly abundant: there is likely an FRB occurring somewhere on the sky at least once every minute. They are also unique probes of the otherwise invisible material between stars and galaxies. But what is producing them? Thanks to a new generation of wide-field radio telescopes, several FRBs per day are now being discovered. Novel high-time-resolution observations using radio interferometers are also pinpointing FRB locations and providing host galaxy associations. More than a decade since the discovery of the famous `Lorimer burst', we are making rapid progress in our understanding of the enigmatic FRB phenomenon. In this talk, I will briefly review the status of the field and then focus on how observations with the European VLBI Network (EVN) and the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) are shedding light on the nature of FRB sources. These observations have provided broadband characterisation, milli-arcsecond localisations and nanosecond-resolution polarimetry to help decode the FRB source model and emission mechanism. At the same time, recent discoveries are showing us that we have still only scratched the surface in terms of the vast parameter space we can potentially explore. Expanding our exploration to and even wider range of timescales, luminosities and event-rates will allow us to discover new types of extreme astrophysical phenomena.


More about the event ⇒


Upcoming Events

Reality Check: The Perils and Promise of Observations to Characterize Small Exoplanets

Johanna Teske (Carnegie Institute for Science)

Apr 2, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

Apr 3, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

Apr 3, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Eclipse Fair and Viewing Party

Apr 8, 2024 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Location: McGill Campus, Lower Field
Public Outreach
Read More ⇒

TSI Seminar

Vikram Ravi (Caltech)

Apr 9, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

Apr 10, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

Apr 10, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Seminar

Christine Chen (Space Telescope Science Institute)

Apr 16, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

Apr 17, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

Apr 17, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Seminar

Miles Cranmer (Cambridge and Simons Foundation)

Apr 23, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

Apr 24, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

Apr 24, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Seminar

Sunshine Menezes (Executive Director at Metcalf Institute)

Apr 30, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

Public Observing Night

Apr 30, 2024 7:30 PM
Outreach Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

May 1, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

May 1, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Public Talk

May 1, 2024 7:00 PM
Outreach Event
Read More ⇒

24hrs of Science - From Planets to Particles: An Exploration Mini-Fair

May 4, 2024 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Rutherford Physics Building
Outreach Event
Read More ⇒

24 Hours of Science

May 4, 2024 11:00 AM
Outreach Event
Read More ⇒