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Lewis Ball

Publications and source records attributed to Lewis Ball.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2024

The First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH): II. Pilot Survey data release and first results

The First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH) is a large-area radio survey for neutral hydrogen in the redshift range 0.4 1$, and appear to be a mixture of intervening and associated systems. Interestingly, around two-thirds of the lines found in this untargeted sample are detected against sources with a peaked-spectrum radio continuum, which are only a minor (5-20%) fraction of the overall radio-source population. The overall detection rate for HI absorption lines in the Pilot Surveys (0.3 to 0.5 lines per ASKAP field) is a factor of two below the expected value. One possible reason for this is the presence of a range of spectral-line artefacts in the Pilot Survey data that have now been mitigated and are not expected to recur in the full FLASH survey. A future paper will discuss the host galaxies of the HI absorption systems identified here.

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arXiv2022

WALLABY Pilot Survey: Public release of HI data for almost 600 galaxies from phase 1 of ASKAP pilot observations

We present WALLABY pilot data release 1, the first public release of HI pilot survey data from the Wide-field ASKAP L-band Legacy All-sky Blind Survey (WALLABY) on the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder. Phase 1 of the WALLABY pilot survey targeted three $60~{\rm deg}^2$ regions on the sky in the direction of the Hydra and Norma galaxy clusters and the NGC 4636 galaxy group, covering the redshift range of z < 0.08. The source catalogue, images and spectra of nearly 600 extragalactic HI detections and kinematic models for 109 spatially resolved galaxies are available. As the pilot survey targeted regions containing nearby group and cluster environments, the median redshift of the sample of z ~ 0.014 is relatively low compared to the full WALLABY survey. The median galaxy HI mass is $2.3 \times 10^{9}~M_{\odot}$. The target noise level of 1.6 mJy per $30''$ beam and 18.5 kHz channel translates into a $5\sigma$ HI mass sensitivity for point sources of about $5.2 \times 10^{8} \, (D_{\rm L} / \mathrm{100~Mpc})^{2} \, M_{\odot}$ across 50 spectral channels (~200 km/s) and a $5\sigma$ HI column density sensitivity of about $8.6 \times 10^{19} \, (1 + z)^{4}~\mathrm{cm}^{-2}$ across 5 channels (~20 km/s) for emission filling the $30''$ beam. As expected for a pilot survey, several technical issues and artefacts are still affecting the data quality. Most notably, there are systematic flux errors of up to several 10% caused by uncertainties about the exact size and shape of each of the primary beams as well as the presence of sidelobes due to the finite deconvolution threshold. In addition, artefacts such as residual continuum emission and bandpass ripples have affected some of the data. The pilot survey has been highly successful in uncovering such technical problems, most of which are expected to be addressed and rectified before the start of the full WALLABY survey.

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arXiv2021

GASKAP-HI Pilot Survey Science I: ASKAP Zoom Observations of HI Emission in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present the most sensitive and detailed view of the neutral hydrogen (HI) emission associated with the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), through the combination of data from the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and Parkes (Murriyang), as part of the Galactic Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (GASKAP) pilot survey. These GASKAP-HI pilot observations, for the first time, reveal HI in the SMC on similar physical scales as other important tracers of the interstellar medium, such as molecular gas and dust. The resultant image cube possesses an rms noise level of 1.1 K (1.6 mJy/beam) per 0.98 km s$^{-1}$ spectral channel with an angular resolution of 30$''$ ($\sim$10 pc). We discuss the calibration scheme and the custom imaging pipeline that utilizes a joint deconvolution approach, efficiently distributed across a computing cluster, to accurately recover the emission extending across the entire $\sim$25 deg$^2$ field-of-view. We provide an overview of the data products and characterize several aspects including the noise properties as a function of angular resolution and the represented spatial scales by deriving the global transfer function over the full spectral range. A preliminary spatial power spectrum analysis on individual spectral channels reveals that the power-law nature of the density distribution extends down to scales of 10 pc. We highlight the scientific potential of these data by comparing the properties of an outflowing high velocity cloud with previous ASKAP+Parkes HI test observations.

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arXiv2021

The ASKAP Variables and Slow Transients (VAST) Pilot Survey

The Variables and Slow Transients Survey (VAST) on the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) is designed to detect highly variable and transient radio sources on timescales from 5 seconds to $\sim 5$ years. In this paper, we present the survey description, observation strategy and initial results from the VAST Phase I Pilot Survey. This pilot survey consists of $\sim 162$ hours of observations conducted at a central frequency of 888~MHz between 2019 August and 2020 August, with a typical rms sensitivity of 0.24~mJy~beam$^{-1}$ and angular resolution of $12-20$ arcseconds. There are 113 fields, \red{each of which was observed for 12 minutes integration time}, with between 5 and 13 repeats, with cadences between 1 day and 8 months. The total area of the pilot survey footprint is 5\,131 square degrees, covering six distinct regions of the sky. An initial search of two of these regions, totalling 1\,646 square degrees, revealed 28 highly variable and/or transient sources. Seven of these are known pulsars, including the millisecond pulsar J2039--5617. Another seven are stars, four of which have no previously reported radio detection (SCR~J0533--4257, LEHPM~2-783, UCAC3~89--412162 and 2MASS J22414436--6119311). Of the remaining 14 sources, two are active galactic nuclei, six are associated with galaxies and the other six have no multiwavelength counterparts and are yet to be identified.

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arXiv2021

The Evolutionary Map of the Universe Pilot Survey

We present the data and initial results from the first Pilot Survey of the Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU), observed at 944 MHz with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope. The survey covers 270 \sqdeg of an area covered by the Dark Energy Survey, reaching a depth of 25--30 \ujybm\ rms at a spatial resolution of $\sim$ 11--18 arcsec, resulting in a catalogue of $\sim$ 220,000 sources, of which $\sim$ 180,000 are single-component sources. Here we present the catalogue of single-component sources, together with (where available) optical and infrared cross-identifications, classifications, and redshifts. This survey explores a new region of parameter space compared to previous surveys. Specifically, the EMU Pilot Survey has a high density of sources, and also a high sensitivity to low surface-brightness emission. These properties result in the detection of types of sources that were rarely seen in or absent from previous surveys. We present some of these new results here.

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arXiv2020

The Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey I: Design and First Results

The Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS) is the first large-area survey to be conducted with the full 36-antenna Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope. RACS will provide a shallow model of the ASKAP sky that will aid the calibration of future deep ASKAP surveys. RACS will cover the whole sky visible from the ASKAP site in Western Australia, and will cover the full ASKAP band of $700-1800$ MHz. The RACS images are generally deeper than the existing NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) and Sydney University Molonglo Sky Survey (SUMSS) radio surveys and have better spatial resolution. All RACS survey products will be public, including radio images (with $\sim 15$ arcsecond resolution) and catalogues of about three million source components with spectral index and polarisation information. In this paper, we present a description of the RACS survey and the first data release of 903 images covering the sky south of declination $+41^\circ$ made over a 288 MHz band centred at 887.5 MHz.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2018

The Breakthrough Listen Search for Intelligent Life: Wide-bandwidth Digital Instrumentation for the CSIRO Parkes 64-m Telescope

Breakthrough Listen is a ten-year initiative to search for signatures of technologies created by extraterrestrial civilizations at radio and optical wavelengths. Here, we detail the digital data recording system deployed for Breakthrough Listen observations at the 64-m aperture CSIRO Parkes Telescope in New South Wales, Australia. The recording system currently implements two recording modes: a dual-polarization, 1.125 GHz bandwidth mode for single beam observations, and a 26-input, 308-MHz bandwidth mode for the 21-cm multibeam receiver. The system is also designed to support a 3 GHz single-beam mode for the forthcoming Parkes ultra-wideband feed. In this paper, we present details of the system architecture, provide an overview of hardware and software, and present initial performance results.

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arXiv2009

Multi-frequency Radio Measurements of SN 1987A over 22 Years

We present extensive observations of the radio emission from the remnant of SN 1987A made with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), since the first detection of the remnant in 1990. The radio emission has evolved in time providing unique information on the interaction of the supernova shock with the circumstellar medium. We particularly focus on the monitoring observations at 1.4, 2.4, 4.8 and 8.6 GHz, which have been made at intervals of 4-6 weeks. The flux density data show that the remnant brightness is now increasing exponentially, while the radio spectrum is flattening. The current spectral index value of -0.68 represents an 18+/-3% increase over the last 8 years. The exponential trend in the flux is also found in the ATCA imaging observations at 9 GHz, which have been made since 1992, approximately twice a year, as well as in the 843 MHz data set from the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope from 1987 to March 2007. Comparisons with data at different wavelengths (X-ray, H\alpha) are made. The rich data set that has been assembled in the last 22 years forms a basis for a better understanding of the evolution of the supernova remnant.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2009

High resolution 36 GHz imaging of the Supernova Remnant of SN1987A

The aftermath of supernova (SN) 1987A continues to provide spectacular insights into the interaction between a SN blastwave and its circumstellar en- vironment. We here present 36 GHz observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array of the radio remnant of SN 1987A. These new images, taken in 2008 Apr and 2008 Oct, substantially extend the frequency range of an ongo- ing monitoring and imaging program conducted between 1.4 and 20 GHz. Our 36.2 GHz images have a diffraction-limited angular resolution of 0.3-0.4 arcseconds, which covers the gap between high resolution, low dynamic range VLBI images of the remnant and low resolution, high dynamic range images at frequencies between 1 and 20 GHz. The radio morphology of the remnant at 36 GHz is an elliptical ring with enhanced emission on the eastern and western sides, similar to that seen previously at lower frequencies. Model fits to the data in the Fourier domain show that the emitting region is consistent with a thick inclined torus of mean radius 0.85 arcsec, and a 2008 Oct flux density of 27 +/- 6 mJy at 36.2 GHz. The spectral index for the remnant at this epoch, determined between 1.4 GHz and 36.2 GHz, is -0.83. There is tentative evidence for an unresolved central source with flatter spectral index.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2005

Gamma-rays from PSR B1259 -63

The high-energy gamma-ray emission discovered using the H.E.S.S. telescopes from the binary system PSR B1259 -63, is modelled using an extension of the approach that successfully predicted it. We find that the simultaneous INTEGRAL and H.E.S.S. data permit both a model with dominant radiative losses, high pulsar wind Lorentz factor and modest efficiency as well as one with dominant adiabatic losses, a slower wind and higher efficiency. Additional, simultaneous, X-ray and TeV data sets are needed to lift this degeneracy.

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arXiv2005

The high-energy gamma-ray light curve of PSR B1259 -63

The high-energy gamma-ray light curve of the binary system PSR B1259 -63, is computed using the approach that successfully predicted the spectrum at periastron. The simultaneous INTEGRAL and H.E.S.S. spectra taken 16 days after periastron currently permit both a model with dominant radiative losses, high pulsar wind Lorentz factor and modest efficiency as well as one with dominant adiabatic losses, a slower wind and higher efficiency. In this paper we shown how the long-term light curve may help to lift this degeneracy.

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arXiv2005

Radio Observations of PSR B1259-63 through the 2004 periastron passage

We report here on extensive radio observations of the binary system containing PSR B1259-63 and the Be star SS 2883, made around the time of the 2004 periastron. This is the fourth periastron to have been observed in detail. As in previous observations, changes in the pulsar's dispersion and rotation measures are detected over a period spanning 200 days. We show that the eclipse of the pulsed emission lasts from 16 days prior to periastron to 15 days after periastron and is consistent from one periastron to the next. We demonstrate that the timing solution proposed by Wang et al. (2004) provides a good fit through the 2004 periastron. The light curve of the transient unpulsed radio emission is broadly similar from one periastron to the next. For this periastron, however, the light curve is strongly peaked post-periastron with rather little enhancement prior to periastron, in contrast to the 2000 periastron where the peak flux densities were more equal. These observations remain consistent with the interpretation that the pulsar passes through the dense circumstellar disk of the Be star just before and just after periastron. The observed differences from one periastron to the next can be ascribed to variations in the local disk density and magnetic field structure at the time the pulsar enters the disk.

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arXiv2001

Simulated Radio Images and Light Curves of Young Supernovae

We present calculations of the radio emission from supernovae based on high-resolution simulations of the hydrodynamics and radiation transfer, using simple energy density relations which link the properties of the radiating electrons and the magnetic field to the hydrodynamics. As a specific example we model the emission from SN1993J, which cannot be adequately fitted with the often-used analytic mini-shell model, and present a good fit to the radio evolution at a single frequency. Both free-free absorption and syncrotron self- absorption are needed to fit the light curve at early times and a circumstellar density profile of rho~r^-1.7 provides the best fit to the later data. We show that the interaction of density structures in the ejecta with the reverse supernova shock may produce features in the radio light curves such as have been observed. We discuss the use of high-resolution radio images of supernovae to distinguish between different absorption mechanisms and determine the origin of specific light curve features. Comparisons of VLBI images of SN1993J with synthetic model images suggest that internal free-free absorption completely obscures emission at 8.4 GHz passing through the center of the supernova for the first few tens of years after explosion. We predict that at 8.4 GHz the internal free-free absorption is currently declining, and that over the next 40 years the surface brightness of the center of the source should increase relative to the bright ring of emission seen in VLBI images. Similar absorption in a nearby supernova would make the detection of a radio pulsar at 1 GHz impossible for ~150 years after explosion.

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arXiv2000

Shock geometry and inverse Compton emission from the wind of a binary pulsar

PSR B1259-63 is a 47ms radio pulsar with a high spin-down luminosity which is in a close, highly eccentric 3.5-year orbit about a bright stellar companion. The binary system may be a detectable source of hard gamma-rays produced by inverse Compton scattering of photons from the B2e star SS2883 by electrons and positrons in the pulsar wind. The star provides an enormous density of optical photons in the vicinity of the pulsar, particularly at epochs near periastron. We calculate the emission from the unshocked region of the pulsar wind, assuming that it terminates at a shock where it attains pressure balance with the companion's wind. The spectra and light curves for the inverse Compton emission from the shock-terminated wind are compared with those for an unterminated wind. If the pulsar's wind is weaker than that from the companion star, the termination of the wind decreases the inverse Compton flux, particularly near periastron. The termination shock geometry has the effect of decreasing the asymmetry of the gamma-ray light curve around periastron, which arises because of the asymmetrical variation of the scattering angle.

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arXiv2000

Radio Supernova 1987A at 843 MHz

We report the flux densities of the evolving radio source SN1987A at 843 MHz measured from observations made with the Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope between 1994 September and 2000 May. The radio light curve shows that the rate of increase of the flux density jumped markedly around days 2800-3000 (i.e. in the first half of 1995), and that since then the radio evolution has been remarkably well fitted by a simple linear increase of (62.7 +- 0.5) microJansky/day. We discuss in detail the relationship between the radio light curve and the recent brightening of the system at optical wavelengths.

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arXiv1999

Probing Pulsar Winds Using Inverse Compton Scattering

We investigate the effects of inverse Compton scattering by electrons and positrons in the unshocked winds of rotationally-powered binary pulsars. This process can scatter low energy target photons to produce gamma rays with energies from MeV to TeV. The binary radio pulsars PSR B1259-63 and PSR J0045-73 are both in close eccentric orbits around bright main sequence stars which provide a huge density of low energy target photons. The inverse Compton scattering process transfers momentum from the pulsar wind to the scattered photons, and therefore provides a drag which tends to decelerate the pulsar wind. We present detailed calculations of the dynamics of a pulsar wind which is undergoing inverse Compton scattering, showing that the deceleration of the wind of PSR B1259-63 due to `inverse Compton drag' is small, but that this process may confine the wind of PSR J0045-73 before it attains pressure balance with the outflow of its companion star. We calculate the spectra and light curves of the resulting inverse Compton emission from PSR B1259-63 and show that if the size of the pulsar wind nebula is comparable to the binary separation, then the gamma-ray emission from the unshocked wind may be detectable by atmospheric Cerenkov detectors or by the new generation of satellite-borne gamma-ray detectors such as INTEGRAL and GLAST. This mechanism may therefore provide a direct probe of the freely-expanding regions of pulsar winds, previously thought to be invisible.

astro-ph↗
arXiv1999

Origin of the transient unpulsed radio emission from the PSR B1259-63 binary system

We discuss the interpretation of transient, unpulsed radio emission detected from the unique pulsar/Be-star binary system PSR B1259-63. Extensive monitoring of the 1994 and 1997 periastron passages has shown that the source flares over a 100-day interval around periastron, varying on time-scales as short as a day and peaking at 60 mJy (~100 times the apastron flux density) at 1.4 GHz. Interpreting the emission as synchrotron radiation, we show that (i) the observed variations in flux density are too large to be caused by the shock interaction between the pulsar wind and an isotropic, radiatively driven, Be-star wind, and (ii) the radio emitting electrons do not originate from the pulsar wind. We argue instead that the radio electrons originate from the circumstellar disk of the Be star and are accelerated at two epochs, one before and one after periastron, when the pulsar passes through the disk. A simple model incorporating two epochs of impulsive acceleration followed by synchrotron cooling reproduces the essential features of the radio light curve and spectrum and is consistent with the system geometry inferred from pulsed radio data.

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