Commensal image plane transient search methods with the SKAO

Alex Andersson; Dougal Dobbie; Natasha Hurley-Walker; Hao Qiu; Kaustubh Rajwade; Antonia Rowlinson; Iris de Ruiter; Fabian Schüssler; Oleg M. Smirnov; Ben Stappers

arXiv · 2607.05118

Commensal image plane transient search methods with the SKAO

Alex Andersson·Dougal Dobbie·Natasha Hurley-Walker·Hao Qiu·Kaustubh Rajwade·Antonia Rowlinson·Iris de Ruiter·Fabian Schüssler·Oleg M. Smirnov·Ben Stappers

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Abstract

This chapter outlines the key, state of the art, techniques required to conduct commensal image plane transient searches. Using significant experience and expertise from conducting transient searches with the SKA pathfinders, we have developed efficient fast imaging strategies, automated transient detection pipelines, determined careful filtering techniques to avoid artifacts, and identified the most useful triggered reprocessing tools. Using these strategies, we will be ideally placed to optimally and reliably detect transient sources from commensal image plane transient surveys. The tools and methods presented in this chapter can be used for all SKA-Mid and SKA-Low array deployments from AA* inclusive.

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Alex Andersson, Dougal Dobbie, Natasha Hurley-Walker, Hao Qiu, Kaustubh Rajwade, Antonia Rowlinson, Iris de Ruiter, Fabian Schüssler, Oleg M. Smirnov, Ben Stappers. 2026-07-06. Commensal image plane transient search methods with the SKAO. https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.05118

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