Solving the mystery of ultra luminous fast radio burst emission . Fast Radio Bursts are a recently discovered inexplicable astronomical phenomenon whose millisecond-timescale emission is generated by regions less than 300 kilometres across yet so luminous it is visible at cosmological distances. Using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder we have already localised these bursts, which made the front cover of Science, and recently used them to find the missing baryonic matter in the Uni ....Solving the mystery of ultra luminous fast radio burst emission . Fast Radio Bursts are a recently discovered inexplicable astronomical phenomenon whose millisecond-timescale emission is generated by regions less than 300 kilometres across yet so luminous it is visible at cosmological distances. Using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder we have already localised these bursts, which made the front cover of Science, and recently used them to find the missing baryonic matter in the Universe. Next, we will scrutinise these bursts at three nanosecond time resolution, reaching the timescale necessary to probe the mechanism by which their ultra-luminous radiation is generated. This project will reveal previously inaccessible properties of the radiation to unlock the secrets of how they are produced.Read moreRead less
The role of radiation and cosmic rays in galaxy formation. This project aims to solve the enduring question about galaxy formation of why galaxies are so inefficient at turning gas into stars. This project will investigate two possible agents for this inefficiency, the pressures exerted by starlight photons and the relativistic cosmic rays produced by supernovae, using a combination of numerical simulations, basic physical analysis, and comparison to observations. The expected outcome will be a ....The role of radiation and cosmic rays in galaxy formation. This project aims to solve the enduring question about galaxy formation of why galaxies are so inefficient at turning gas into stars. This project will investigate two possible agents for this inefficiency, the pressures exerted by starlight photons and the relativistic cosmic rays produced by supernovae, using a combination of numerical simulations, basic physical analysis, and comparison to observations. The expected outcome will be a greatly improved understanding of the physics of the interaction of radiation and cosmic rays with star-forming interstellar gas. This will help complete the picture of how galaxies like our own came to be, and will provide tools for both future simulations and the interpretation of observations.Read moreRead less
The galactic centre: a laboratory for starburst galaxies. The Milky Way's centre is one of its most captivating regions; here star-formation, and potentially, the region's supermassive black hole, inject enormous amounts of energy and drive a powerful wind of plasma and cosmic rays above the galactic plane. This project will elucidate these processes and help us understand other galactic nuclei.
The Carina Nebula: a massive star factory and the anchor for calibrating extragalactic star formation. Massive stars are vital to the life cycle of a galaxy, providing material and controlling the environment where new stars are made. This project will use the Australia Telescope to map the spectacular Carina Nebula, a hotbed of massive stars, to provide a picture of its stars and gas and a template for understanding star formation in distant galaxies.
Transforming fast radio bursts into an astrophysical tool. This project aims to determine what causes fast radio bursts by utilising the revolutionary capabilities of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. Fast radio bursts remain one of the most poorly understood astronomical objects; only the localisation of a large population will resolve the origin of their enigmatic emissions. This project will deliver a catalogue of localised fast radio bursts, pinpointed to host galaxies and a ....Transforming fast radio bursts into an astrophysical tool. This project aims to determine what causes fast radio bursts by utilising the revolutionary capabilities of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. Fast radio bursts remain one of the most poorly understood astronomical objects; only the localisation of a large population will resolve the origin of their enigmatic emissions. This project will deliver a catalogue of localised fast radio bursts, pinpointed to host galaxies and an explanation for how and what produces the bursts. This will demonstrate the capabilities of novel Australian technology, and deliver benefit, underpinning a plan for surveys for next generation radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array.Read moreRead less
AIM-GWM: Afterglow Imaging and Modelling of Gravitational-Wave Mergers. This project aims to capitalise on the dawn of the era of gravitational wave astronomy by studying the radio afterglows that result from gravitational wave merger events in minute detail. By comparing ultra-high resolution images to sophisticated computational models, we anticipate recovering information about the merger events that cannot be obtained from the gravitational wave data alone. In doing so, we expect new insight ....AIM-GWM: Afterglow Imaging and Modelling of Gravitational-Wave Mergers. This project aims to capitalise on the dawn of the era of gravitational wave astronomy by studying the radio afterglows that result from gravitational wave merger events in minute detail. By comparing ultra-high resolution images to sophisticated computational models, we anticipate recovering information about the merger events that cannot be obtained from the gravitational wave data alone. In doing so, we expect new insights into not just of the extreme and unique physics in the aftermath of a violent neutron star merger, but also about the fundamental nature of the Universe, namely the speed at which it is expanding. This knowledge will provide significant benefits to astronomers studying the Universe at all wavelengths.Read moreRead less
Radio follow-up of gravitational wave events. This project aims to use three Australian radio telescopes to search for and monitor radio waves from future gravitational wave events. The detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from a neutron star merger was a scientific breakthrough, with important implications for physics and astronomy. The observations from this project will provide key information to reveal what causes some of the most energetic events in the Universe, t ....Radio follow-up of gravitational wave events. This project aims to use three Australian radio telescopes to search for and monitor radio waves from future gravitational wave events. The detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from a neutron star merger was a scientific breakthrough, with important implications for physics and astronomy. The observations from this project will provide key information to reveal what causes some of the most energetic events in the Universe, their environment and how they evolve. The outcomes of this project include increased international collaboration with this global effort, and new techniques for automatic data processing and analysis, as well as engaging future students as we build Australian expertise in a new area of research.Read moreRead less
Pinpointing the hosts of Fast Radio Bursts with UTMOST-2D. This project proposes to localise a sample of detected ‘fast radio bursts’ to their host galaxies (or local progenitors) for the first time. ‘Fast radio bursts’ are impulsive bursts of radio energy, with characteristics consistent with an origin billions of light-years from Earth. If the source of the bursts can be pinpointed, they would offer a unique tool to study the tenuous, otherwise nearly invisible plasma that permeates the interg ....Pinpointing the hosts of Fast Radio Bursts with UTMOST-2D. This project proposes to localise a sample of detected ‘fast radio bursts’ to their host galaxies (or local progenitors) for the first time. ‘Fast radio bursts’ are impulsive bursts of radio energy, with characteristics consistent with an origin billions of light-years from Earth. If the source of the bursts can be pinpointed, they would offer a unique tool to study the tenuous, otherwise nearly invisible plasma that permeates the intergalactic medium. They could also be used as cosmic rulers to measure the expansion history of the Universe. To date, no burst has been associated with a host galaxy at a known distance, and some researchers maintain that fast radio bursts originate from more nearby sources, potentially even within our own Galaxy. The project plans to explore this hypothesis.Read moreRead less
Illuminating the cosmic web with Fast Radio Bursts. This project aims to establish the use of millisecond-duration Fast Radio Bursts as a wholly new means to map out the distribution of matter in the Universe. This project expects to localise 100s of bursts using novel infrastructure deployed on Australia's largest radio telescopes. Expected outcomes include an understanding of the processes that shape both the large-scale structures of the Universe, and the extreme conditions that exist at the ....Illuminating the cosmic web with Fast Radio Bursts. This project aims to establish the use of millisecond-duration Fast Radio Bursts as a wholly new means to map out the distribution of matter in the Universe. This project expects to localise 100s of bursts using novel infrastructure deployed on Australia's largest radio telescopes. Expected outcomes include an understanding of the processes that shape both the large-scale structures of the Universe, and the extreme conditions that exist at the sites of Fast Radio Bursts. This should provide significant benefits to our fundamental knowledge of the Universe, inspire students into careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and develop signal processing techniques of application to both the Square Kilometre Array and industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100107
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$672,000.00
Summary
The next generation fast radio burst detector for Australia. This project intends to provide a next-generation fast radio burst detector for the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. The project expects to both transform our understanding of fast radio bursts, enigmatic flashes of radio waves of unknown origin, but also use the bursts as tools to study the cosmic web of matter that resides in intergalactic space. To do so, the project aims to deliver a more sensitive detection system ca ....The next generation fast radio burst detector for Australia. This project intends to provide a next-generation fast radio burst detector for the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. The project expects to both transform our understanding of fast radio bursts, enigmatic flashes of radio waves of unknown origin, but also use the bursts as tools to study the cosmic web of matter that resides in intergalactic space. To do so, the project aims to deliver a more sensitive detection system capable of localising a large sample of fast radio bursts to greater distances, found commensal to other observations. This should provide significant benefit, including the resolutions to key open astrophysical questions and improved scientific outcomes for transient searches with the Square Kilometre Array.Read moreRead less