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Emil Polisensky

Publications and source records attributed to Emil Polisensky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Discovery of Millisecond Pulsars toward the Galactic Bulge in an Image-based Survey with MeerKAT

We report on the follow-up observations of circularly polarized sources identified in the MeerKAT image-based survey of the Galactic bulge. Using the Parkes radio telescope, we observed sixteen circularly polarized sources with the UWL receiver and detected nine pulsars, six of which are new discoveries. All pulsars are fast rotators with spin periods under 100 ms. Among the new discoveries, five are millisecond pulsars (MSPs) and one has a spin period of 53.6 ms. At least four new MSPs exhibit clear signs of binary motion in their discovery observations. The dispersion measures (DMs) of these pulsars fall between 18 and 330 pc cm$^{-3}$, which are lower than expected for Galactic bulge members and indicate that these pulsars lie in the foreground along the line of sight rather than within the bulge itself. This is the first time such a large number of pulsars have been confirmed from candidates identified in an image-based survey. These discoveries underscore the exceptional efficacy of circular polarization selection in image-based pulsar surveys, and demonstrate the powerful synergy between high-sensitivity imaging and targeted time-domain follow-up using wide-band receivers, and strengthen prospects for future deep pulsation searches$-$e.g., with MeerKAT or the forthcoming SKA or DSA-2000$-$to uncover the true millisecond pulsar population in the Galactic bulge.

astro-ph.HE

First Detection of an Ultracool Dwarf at 340 MHz: VLITE Observations of EI Cancri AB

Magnetically driven phenomena such as flaring events and aurorae lead ultracool dwarfs to emit at radio frequencies. Despite decades of scrutiny, a comprehensive physical understanding of their radio emission at different frequencies remains elusive, spurring on additional study of these complex objects. The VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) is a commensal instrument operating at 340 MHz on the Very Large Array. A key advantage of 340 MHz observations is their sensitivity to circumstellar disks and planets at understudied distances from the stellar disk, intermediate between GHz and low MHz sensitivities. Hard-to-find coronal mass ejections are also predicted to be detectable at 340 MHz. However, this frequency regime is relatively unprobed in ultracool dwarf studies, with few searches and no published detections to date. Here we highlight our investigation of the nearby M7-M7 binary, EI Cancri. EI Cancri AB is magnetically active, yet has an uncharacteristically long 83-day candidate rotation period within the system. With the VLITE detection of the EI Cancri system, we present the first ever detection of ultracool dwarf emission at 340 MHz.

astro-ph.SR

A Compact Symmetric Object Discovered by the VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment

We present new Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) imaging of a MHz-peaked spectrum (MPS) source that was found using commensal low-frequency data taken with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA). The source, J0330-2730, was identified in multi-epoch data from the VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE). VLITE continuously collects low-frequency data at 340 MHz during regular VLA observations. Our analysis of the VLITE light curve demonstrates that J0330-2730 has significant 340 MHz flux variability at the ~20% level over a timescale of approximately one year. Our VLBA images reveal a resolved, double-lobed morphology with a projected linear size of 64 pc. We consider plausible mechanisms that could explain the observed 340 MHz variability and the source properties on milliarcsecond scales. We rule-out variable Doppler boosting and conclude that refractive interstellar scintillation or variable free-free absorption are the most likely explanations. We argue that the properties of J0330-2730 are consistent with the class of compact symmetric objects (CSOs) and consider the evolutionary stage of the source. The extent of the resolved lobes revealed by the VLBA is significantly smaller than predictions based on the turnover-size relation for a standard synchrotron self-absorbed jet model. We discuss possible explanations for the departure from the turnover-size relation, including jet formation by a transient phenomenon such as a tidal disruption event or a "frustrated jet" impeded by the presence of dense gas or a high-pressure environment. This study highlights the potential of VLITE for the identification of compact and young radio sources.

astro-ph.GA

Investigating four new candidate redback pulsars discovered in the image plane

This paper reports the discovery and follow-up of four candidate redback spider pulsars: GPM J1723-33, GPM J1734-28, GPM J1752-30 and GPM J1815-14, discovered with the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) from an imaging survey of the Galactic Plane. These sources are considered to be redback candidates based on their eclipsing variability, steep negative spectral indices, and potential Fermi $γ$-ray associations, with GPM J1723-33 and GPM J1815-14 lying within a Fermi 95% error ellipse. Follow-up pulsation searches with MeerKAT confirmed pulsations from GPM J1723-33, while the non-detections of the other three are likely due to scattering by material ablated from their companion stars. We identify possible orbital periods by applying folding algorithms to the light curves and determine that all sources have short orbital periods (<24 hours), consistent with redback spider systems. Following up on the sources at multiple radio frequencies revealed that the sources exhibit frequency-dependent eclipses, with longer eclipses observed at lower frequencies. We place broad constraints on the eclipse medium, ruling out induced Compton scattering and cyclotron absorption. Three sources are spatially consistent with optical sources in the Dark Energy Camera Plane Survey imaging, which may contain the optical counterparts. Each field is affected by strong dust extinction, and follow-up with large telescopes is needed to identify the true counterparts. Identifying potential radio counterparts to four previously unassociated Fermi sources brings us closer to understanding the origin of the unexplained $γ$-ray excess in the Galactic Centre.

astro-ph.HE

Radio Emission from the Infrared Tidal Disruption Event WTP14adeqka: The First Directly Resolved Delayed Outflow from a TDE

We present detailed radio observations of the mid-infrared (MIR) tidal disruption event (TDE) WTP14adeqka. We detect rising radio emission starting $\approx 4$ years after the discovery of the MIR emission (and about 2 years after its peak), peaking at $\approx 6.5$ years and declining thereafter, reminiscent of the delayed radio emission recently identified in optically discovered TDEs. The peak radio luminosity, $νL_ν\approx 2\times 10^{39}$ erg s$^{-1}$, is comparable to the brightest radio emission in optical TDEs. Multi-frequency radio observations at 8.9 and 9.7 years reveal a non-relativistic outflow with a mean expansion velocity of $\approx 0.021c$ (for an assumed launch at the time of disruption) and an energy of $\approx 10^{50.7}$ erg, about an order of magnitude larger than in typical optical TDEs. More importantly, Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations at the same epochs directly resolve the radio source and reveal an increase in size from approximately 0.11 pc to 0.13 pc (with no apparent astrometric shift), corresponding to an expansion velocity of $\approx 0.05c$, and a likely delayed launch by about 2 years. The VLBA size measurements rule out an off-axis jet launched at the time of disruption, which would have an expected size of $\gtrsim {\rm pc}$ on these timescales; the possibility of a delayed jet can be evaluated with future VLBA observations. We conclude that MIR TDEs can launch energetic, delayed outflows. Ongoing radio observations of the full MIR TDE sample will reveal whether this behavior is ubiquitous.

astro-ph.HE

A Radio Flaring, Chromospherically-Inactive K Dwarf

We report on an unusual radio source J180526-292953, initially identified as a steep spectrum, polarized point source toward the Galactic bulge and found to coincide with the nearby K dwarf HD317101A. We conducted a multi-wavelength radio study utilizing new GMRT observations and archival data from ASKAP, MeerKAT, and the VLA. At 1.5 GHz, HD317101A exhibits highly polarized coherent emission with variable activity lasting several hours with an apparent period of 3.7 days, which is consistent with electron cyclotron maser (ECM) emission. The behavior at 3 GHz is distinctive, with a short burst lasting tens of seconds to minutes, a flat spectrum, and no detected polarization, possibly suggesting gyro-synchrotron emission. High-resolution optical spectroscopy from CHIRON/SMARTS confirms HD317101A as a mature, chromospherically inactive K7V star, while Gaia astrometry, combined with speckle imaging from Zorro/Gemini-S, indicates the presence of a close-in M5.5V companion. We evaluated three possible origins for the combined radio behavior: chromospheric activity, auroral emission (possibly from a star-planet interaction), or an ultra-long-period transient. The bulk of the evidence favors an auroral origin, but the dominant stellar source of the ECM emission remains uncertain. Future VLBI observations, long-term TESS monitoring, high resolution spectroscopy and further radio characterization will be key to distinguishing between various scenarios.

astro-ph.SR

Searching for Radio Transients with Inverted Spectra in Epoch 1 of VLASS and VCSS, and Identification of a Sample of Candidate Relativistic Nuclear Transients

For radio transients, an inverted spectrum (defined as $α> 0$ for a power law spectrum $S_ν\propto ν^α$) constrains physical properties, which in principle can be a useful criterion for selecting specific targets of interest in a transient search. To test and develop this concept, we have searched epoch 1 of the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS; 3.0 GHz) and the VLITE Commensal Sky Survey (VCSS; 340 MHz) for radio transients with inverted spectra. We discover a sample of 21 inverted-spectra transient candidates that are not associated with cataloged active galactic nuclei (AGNs). To the best of our knowledge, three of our candidates have recently been reported by others as radio transients, but none have reported transient counterparts at other wavelengths. We find that our candidates evolve slowly over years and show either highly inverted spectra or peaked spectra over $\sim$1--3 GHz. Within our sample, nine candidates are matched to optical centers of galaxies and have estimated radio spectral luminosities of $L_{3.0\mathrm{GHz}}\sim10^{30}-10^{33}\,\mathrm{erg}\,\mathrm{s}^{-1}\,\mathrm{Hz}^{-1}$. Based on the observed properties, we find the most plausible transient classification for our candidates to be relativistic tidal disruption events. However, it is difficult to rule out variable or transient AGNs with highly inverted spectra. Upon examining physical constraints, we confirm that mainly relativistic transients (on-axis or off-axis) with equipartition energy $E_{\mathrm{eq}}\gtrsim10^{49}-10^{53}\,\mathrm{erg}$ are expected from searching VLASS and VCSS based on inverted spectra. The obtainable physical constraints, however, can be weak due to degeneracy introduced by viewing angle.

astro-ph.HE

Primary Beam Calibration for Commensal Telescopes Utilizing Offset Optics

Accurate primary beam calibration is essential for precise brightness measurements in radio astronomy. The VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) faces challenges in calibration due to the offset Cassegrain optics used in its commensal observing system. This study aims to develop a novel calibration method to improve accuracy with no impact on the Very Large Array (VLA) primary science observations. We used the apparent brightness of standard candles identified in VLITE's commensal data to develop 1D and 2D primary beam response models. These models accounted for operational changes and asymmetries caused by the subreflector and were validated against holographic methods and compact source light curves. The models achieved calibration accuracy within 3 percent across the field of view, significantly improving the precision of brightness measurements. The results were consistent with holography-derived solutions and performed reliably under different operational conditions. This improved calibration technique expands VLITE's capabilities for studying active galactic nuclei, transients, and pulsars. It offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional holographic methods, facilitating broader use in commensal observing systems.

astro-ph.IM

An Image-Based Search for Pulsar Candidates in the MeerKAT Bulge Survey

We report on the results of an image-based search for pulsar candidates toward the Galactic bulge. We used mosaic images from the MeerKAT radio telescope, that were taken as part of a 173 deg**2 survey of the bulge and Galactic center of our Galaxy at L band (856-1712 MHz) in all four Stokes I, Q, U and V. The image root-mean-square noise levels of 12-17 uJy/ba represent a significant increase in sensitivity over past image-based pulsar searches. Our primary search criterion was circular polarization, but we used other criteria including linear polarization, in-band spectral index, compactness, variability and multi-wavelength counterparts to select pulsar candidates. We first demonstrate the efficacy of this technique by searching for polarized emission from known pulsars, and comparing our results with measurements from the literature. Our search resulted in a sample of 75 polarized pulsar candidates. Bright stars or young stellar objects were associated with 28 of these sources, including a small sample of highly polarized dwarf stars with pulsar-like steep spectra. Comparing the properties of this sample with the known pulsars, we identified 30 compelling candidates for pulsation follow-up, including two sources with both strong circular and linear polarization. The remaining 17 sources are either pulsars or stars, but we cannot rule out an extragalactic origin or image artifacts among the brighter, flat spectrum objects.

astro-ph.HE

A VLITE Search for Millisecond Pulsars in Globular Clusters: Discovery of a Pulsar in GLIMPSE-C01

We present results from a search for pulsars in globular clusters, including the discovery of a new millisecond pulsar in the stellar cluster GLIMPSE-C01. We searched for low frequency radio sources within 97 globular clusters using images from the VLA Low-band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE) and epochs 1 and 2 of the VLITE Commensal Sky Survey (VCSS). We discovered 10 sources in our search area, four more than expected from extragalactic source counts at our sensitivity limits. The strongest pulsar candidate was a point source found in GLIMPSE-C01 with a spectral index ~ -2.6, and we present additional measurements at 0.675 and 1.25 GHz from the GMRT and 1.52 GHz from the VLA which confirm the spectral index. Using archival Green Bank Telescope S-band data from 2005, we detect a binary pulsar with a spin period of 19.78 ms within the cluster. Although we cannot confirm that this pulsar is at the same position as the steep spectrum source using the existing data, the pulse flux is consistent with the predicted flux density from other frequencies, making it a probable match. The source also shows strong X-ray emission, indicative of a higher magnetic field than most millisecond pulsars, suggesting that its recycling was interrupted. We demonstrate that low frequency searches for steep spectrum sources are an effective way to identify pulsar candidates, particularly on sightlines with high dispersion.

astro-ph.HE

Ghostly Stellar Haloes and their Relationship to Ultra-faint Dwarfs

Ghostly stellar haloes are extended haloes of stars composed solely of debris of pre-reionization fossil galaxies and should exist in dwarf galaxies with total masses $<10^{10}$ M$_\odot$. Fossil galaxies are even smaller mass dwarf galaxies that stopped forming stars after the epoch of reionization and have been identified in the Local Group as the ultra-faint dwarf satellites. Using cosmological N-body simulations we present an empirical model for the shapes and masses of ghostly stellar haloes. We compare the model to available observations of stellar haloes in six isolated dwarf galaxies in the Local Group (Leo T, Leo A, IC 10, WLM, IC 1613, NGC 6822) to infer the star formation efficiency in dwarf galaxies at the epoch of reionization. We find an efficiency of star formation in dark matter haloes with masses $10^6 - 10^8$ M$_\odot$ at $z\sim7$ in rough agreement with independent methods using data on the luminosity function of ultra-faint dwarf galaxies but systematically higher by a factor of 3-5. The systematic uncertainty of our results is still large, mainly because available observations of stellar halo profiles do not extend over a sufficiently large distance from the center of the host dwarf galaxy. Additional observations, easily within reach of current telescopes, can significantly improve the accuracy of this method and can also be used to constrain the present day dark matter masses of dwarf galaxies in the Local Group. Our method is based on a set of observations never used before, hence it is a new independent test of models of hierarchical galaxy formation.

astro-ph.GA

Radio Spectra of Luminous, Heavily Obscured WISE-NVSS Selected Quasars

We present radio spectra spanning $0.1 - 10$ GHz for the sample of heavily obscured luminous quasars with extremely red mid-infrared-optical colors and compact radio emission. The spectra are constructed from targeted 10 GHz observations and archival radio survey data, which together yield $6-11$ flux density measurements for each object. Our suite of Python tools for modeling the radio spectra is publicly available on Github. Our primary result is that most (61%) of the sample have peaked or curved radio spectra and many (36%) could be classified as Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) sources. This indicates compact emission regions likely arising from recently triggered radio jets. Assuming synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) generates the peaks, we infer compact source sizes ($3 - 100$ pc) with strong magnetic fields ($6 - 100$ mG) and young ages ($30 - 10^4$ years). Conversely, free-free absorption (FFA) could also create peaks due to the high column densities associated with the deeply embedded nature of the sample. However, we find no correlations between the existence or frequency of the peaks and any parameters of the MIR emission. The high-frequency spectral indices are steep ($α\approx -1$) and correlate, weakly, with the ratio of MIR photon energy density to magnetic energy density, suggesting that the spectral steepening could arise from inverse Compton scattering off the intense MIR photon field. This study provides a foundation for combining multi-frequency and mixed-resolution radio survey data for understanding the impact of young radio jets on the ISM and star formation rates of their host galaxies.

astro-ph.GA

A candidate relativistic tidal disruption event at 340 Mpc

We present observations of an extreme radio flare, VT J024345.70-284040.08, hereafter VT J0243, from the nucleus of a galaxy with evidence for historic Seyfert activity at redshift $z=0.074$. Between NRAO VLA Sky Survey observations in 1993 to VLA Sky Survey observations in 2018, VT J0243 rose from a ${\sim}$GHz radio luminosity of $νL_ν\lesssim 10^{38}$ erg s$^{-1}$ to $νL_ν{\sim}10^{40}$ erg s$^{-1}$, and still continues to brighten. The radio spectral energy distribution (SED) evolution is consistent with a nascent jet that has slowed over ${\sim}3000$ days with an average $0.1 < \langle β\rangle < 0.6$. The jet is energetic (${\sim}10^{51-52}$ erg), and had a radius ${\sim}0.7$ pc in Dec. 2021. X-ray observations suggest a persistent or evolving corona, possibly associated with an accretion disk, and IR and optical observations constrain any high-energy counterpart to be sub-Eddington. VT J0243 may be an example of a young, off-axis radio jet from a slowly evolving tidal disruption event. Other more mysterious triggers for the accretion enhancement and jet launching are possible. In either case, VT J0243 is a unique example of a nascent jet, highlighting the unknown connection between supermassive black holes, the properties of their accretion flows, and jet launching.

astro-ph.HE

Radio observations of SN2004dk with VLITE confirm late-time re-brightening

The study of stripped-envelope core-collapse supernovae (SNe), with evidence for strong interaction of SN ejecta with the circumstellar medium (CSM), provides insights into the pre-supernova progenitor, and a fast-forwarded view of the progenitor mass-loss history. In this context, we present late-time radio observations of SN2004dk, a type Ibc supernova located in the galaxy, NGC 6118, at a distance of $d_L \approx 23$ Mpc. About 15 years after explosion, SN2004dk has shown evidence for H$α$ emission, possibly linked to the SN ejecta interacting with an H-rich CSM. Using data from the VLA Low Band Ionosphere and Transient Experiment (VLITE), we confirm the presence of a late-time radio re-brightening accompanying the observed H$α$ emission. We model the SN2004dk radio light curves within the (spherically symmetric) synchrotron-self-absorption (SSA) model. Within this model, our VLITE observations combined with previously collected VLA data favor an interpretation of SN2004dk as a strongly CSM-interacting radio SN going through a complex environment shaped by a non-steady mass-loss from the SN progenitor.

astro-ph.HE

Quasars That Have Transitioned from Radio-quiet to Radio-loud on Decadal Timescales Revealed by VLASS and FIRST

We have performed a search over 3440 deg$^2$ of Epoch 1 (2017-2019) of the Very Large Array Sky Survey to identify unobscured quasars in the optical ($0.2 < z < 3.2$) and obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the infrared that have brightened dramatically in the radio over the past one to two decades. These sources would have been previously classified as "radio-quiet" quasars based on upper limits from the Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty Centimeters survey (1993-2011), but they are now consistent with "radio-loud" quasars ($L_{\rm 3\,GHz} = 10^{40 - 42} \,\, {\rm erg} \,{\rm s}^{-1}$). A quasi-simultaneous, multiband ($\sim1-18$ GHz) follow-up study of 14 sources with the VLA has revealed compact sources ($<0.1^{\prime \prime}$ or $<1$ kpc) with peaked radio spectral shapes. The high-amplitude variability over decadal timescales at 1.5 GHz (100% to $>$2500%), but roughly steady fluxes over a few months at 3 GHz, are inconsistent with extrinsic variability due to propagation effects, thus favoring an intrinsic origin. We conclude that our sources are powerful quasars hosting compact/young jets. This challenges the generally accepted idea that "radio-loudness" is a property of the quasar/AGN population that remains fixed on human timescales. Our study suggests that frequent episodes of short-lived AGN jets that do not necessarily grow to large scales may be common at high redshift. We speculate that intermittent but powerful jets on subgalactic scales could interact with the interstellar medium, possibly driving feedback capable of influencing galaxy evolution.

astro-ph.GA

Radio Monitoring of the Tidal Disruption Event Swift J164449.3+573451. IV. Continued Fading and Non-Relativistic Expansion

We present continued radio and X-ray observations of the previously relativistic tidal disruption event (TDE) Swift J164449.3+573451 (\sw) extending to about 9.4 years post disruption, as part of ongoing campaigns with the Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the \textit{Chandra} X-ray observatory. We find that the X-ray emission has faded below detectable levels, with an upper limit of $\lesssim 3.5\times 10^{-15}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ in a 100 ks observation, while the radio emission continues to be detected and steadily fade. Both are consistent with forward shock emission from a non-relativistic outflow, although we find that the radio spectral energy distribution is better fit at these late times with an electron power law index of $p\approx 3$ (as opposed to $p\approx 2.5$ at earlier times). With the revised spectral index we find $ε_B\approx 0.01$ using the radio and X-ray data, and a density of $\approx 0.04$ cm$^{3}$ at a radius of $R\approx 0.65$ pc ($R_{\rm sch}\approx 2\times 10^6$ R$_\odot$) from the black hole. The energy scale of the blastwave is $\approx 10^{52}$ erg. We also report detections of \sw\ at 3 GHz from the first two epochs of the VLA Sky Survey (VLASS), and find that $\sim 10^2$ off-axis \sw-like events to $z\sim 0.5$ may be present in the VLASS data. Finally, we find that \sw\ itself will remain detectable for decades at radio frequencies, although observations at sub-GHz frequencies will become increasingly important to characterize its dynamical evolution.

astro-ph.HE

Variable Radio AGN at High Redshift Identified in the VLA Sky Survey

As part of an on-going study of radio transients in Epoch 1 (2017-2019) of the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS), we have discovered a sample of 0.2<z<3.2 active galactic nuclei (AGN) selected in the optical/infrared that have recently brightened dramatically in the radio. These sources would have previously been classified as radio-quiet based on upper limits from the Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-centimeters (FIRST; 1993-2011) survey; however, they are now consistent with radio-loud quasars. We present a quasi-simultaneous, multi-band (1-18 GHz) VLA follow-up campaign of our sample of AGN with extreme radio variability. We conclude that the radio properties are most consistent with AGN that have recently launched jets within the past few decades, potentially making them among the youngest radio AGN known.

astro-ph.GA

A Next Generation Low Band Observatory: A Community Study Exploring Low Frequency Options for ngVLA

We present a community study exploring the low frequency (5 - 800 MHz) options and opportunities for the ngVLA project and its infrastructure. We describe a Next Generation LOw Band Observatory (ngLOBO) that will provide access to the low frequency sky in a commensal fashion, operating independently from the ngVLA, but leveraging common infrastructure. This approach provides continuous coverage through an aperture array (called ngLOBO-Low) below 150 MHz and by accessing the primary focus of the ngVLA antennas (called ngLOBO-High) above 150 MHz. ngLOBO preconditions include a) non-interference and b) low relative cost (<5%) with respect to ngVLA. ngLOBO has three primary scientific missions: (1) Radio Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (Radio-LSST): one naturally wide beam, commensal with ngVLA, will conduct a continuous synoptic survey of large swaths of the sky for both slow and fast transients; (2) This same commensal beam will provide complementary low frequency images of all ngVLA targets and their environment {\it when such data enhances their value}. (3) Independent beams from the ngLOBO-Low aperture array will conduct research in astrophysics, Earth science and space weather applications, engaging new communities and attracting independent resources. If ngVLA operates down to 2 GHz or lower, ngLOBO data will enhance ngVLA calibration and dynamic scheduling. Finally, non-variable field sources outside the ngVLA field of view can be harvested for serendipitous science, e.g. population studies for thermal and non-thermal continuum sources. The ngVLA will be a superb, high frequency instrument; ngLOBO will allow it to participate in the worldwide renaissance in low frequency science as well.

astro-ph.IM