Title:
A Broadband Search for X-ray Emission from a Nearby Repeating Fast Radio Burst Source in an Extragalactic Globular Cluster
Agreement Number:
24EXPAST01
Agreement Value:
$50,000.00
Agreement Date:
Mar 31, 2025 - Mar 31, 2026
Description:
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are brief, energetic flashes of radio waves emitted by unknown astrophysical objects located outside of our galaxy. The origins of these enigmatic transients remain one of the greatest mysteries in modern astrophysics. To further understand this phenomenon, AstroSat will observe a nearby repeating FRB source, located in an extragalactic globular cluster, across optical to X-ray wavelengths, utilizing AstroSat’s LAXPC, CZTI, SXT, and UVIT instruments. The team will perform simultaneous, high time resolution observations with sensitive radio telescopes, including CHIME, Effelsberg, and the GBT, to search for multiwavelength emission coinciding with FRB activity. AstroSat’s hard X-ray detectors will enable the search for X-ray emission from the FRB source with unprecedented sensitivity and perform critical tests of FRB models that will shed light on the origins of this source.
Organization:
Canadian Space Agency
Expected Results:
The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.
Location:
Montreal, Quebec, CA H3A 0G4
Reference Number:
003-2024-2025-Q4-00050
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient's Legal Name:
The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning / McGill University
Program:
Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology
Program Purpose:
This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.
The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.