Pulsars, transients and relativistic astrophysics

Abstract:

ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial Last Alert System) is a time-domain survey using four telescopes, covering the entire sky. It has observed 8378 spectroscopically confirmed Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), with thousands of cosmology-grade light curves (to be released as TITAN DR1). To prepare this massive, low-redshift dataset for cosmology, we evaluate and cross-calibrate ATLAS forced photometry using tertiary stars from the DES (Dark Energy Survey) Y6 release. The 5000 deg2 DES footprint overlaps regions both in and out of the PS1 (Pan-STARRS DR1) footprint, allowing tests of the primary calibrator for the ATLAS Refcat2 catalog. Initial offsets are at the ∼40 mmag scale. To improve this, we determine Δ zero-point offsets for two cases: (1) pixel-to-pixel offsets within individual CCDs (reduced from ∼8 to ∼4 mmag rms) and (2) chip-to-chip offsets across the nine CCDs and filters (reduced from ∼17 to ∼3 mmag rms). We also identify the largest systematic uncertainty as a transmission-function color dependence, requiring shifts in the assumed ATLAS filters at the ∼30 mmag level if uncorrected. We validate our calibration using (a) CALSPEC standards, (b) an independent tertiary catalog, and (c) distance moduli of cross-matched SNe Ia, all showing improved consistency. Overall, we estimate combined calibration-related systematics at the ∼5–10 mmag level, supporting competitive cosmological constraints with the TITAN SN Ia dataset.

Abstract:

Abstract Synchrotron self absorption (SSA) is seen across a variety of astrophysical sources, and observation of an SSA peak in the spectrum is a powerful tool for estimating the physical conditions and the minimum energy of the emitting region. We begin with the (re)derivation of the usual SSA parameter estimates, carefully considering dependencies and assumptions, obtaining the most accurate traditional SSA minimum energy equations currently available. Traditional methods rely on the assumption that the emitting region is quasi-spherical and homogeneous. However, many observations of SSA show that the spectral index at frequencies below the peak is less than the expected +2.5 (non-thermal) or +2 (thermal). We argue that an inhomogeneous emitting region is the most likely explanation in many cases. Power law inhomogeneous cylindrical slab and broken power law inhomogeneous sphere models are used to investigate how the presence of inhomogeneity affects parameter estimates using traditional SSA methods. We find that in some cases inhomogeneity can lead to traditional SSA methods underestimating the minimum energy and the size of the emitting region by over an order of magnitude. Quantitative correction factors are found which can be applied to traditional estimates to correct for inhomogeneity, depending on the value of the observed flattened spectral index and the range in frequency over which this value is observed. Furthermore, we derive simple correction factors for non-spherical homogeneous emitting regions. Finally, we explore the effects of inhomogeneity on measurements of polarisation around the spectral peak, and on lightcurves for expanding emitting regions.

Abstract:

The detection of gravitational waves (GWs) from a binary neutron star (BNS) merger by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo (GW170817), together with its electromagnetic counterpart, the short gamma-ray burst GRB 170817A, heralded the birth of multimessenger astronomy. The detection of TeV emission from GRBs motivates follow-up observations with the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO), which is ideal for detecting such signals due to its unprecedented sensitivity, rapid response, and wide-field survey capabilities. The aim of this work is to evaluate GeV–TeV GW follow-up strategies for CTAO using a multistep simulation pipeline and to estimate the expected rate of joint GW–GRB detections during observing run O5. Using a simulated sample of BNS systems with corresponding GW detections, gamma-ray emission is simulated through phenomenological prescriptions based on the observed population of short GRBs, including off-axis jet scenarios. CTAO observations are simulated to account for instrument response, sky tiling strategies, integration times, and varying observing conditions. Strategies with variable and constant integration times are investigated. We find that, via an optimized follow-up strategy, about 5% of simulated GW-associated short GRBs produce GeV–TeV radiation detectable by CTAO. Detectability is strongly influenced by the jet opening angle and viewing angle, suggesting that even rough estimates of the viewing angle in GW alerts could enhance targeting. This framework motivates future follow-ups of GW-detectable events, including neutron star–black hole mergers, and further supports the development of advanced strategies incorporating galaxy distributions and synergies with future detectors such as the Einstein Telescope.

Abstract:

Type Ia supernovae are a cornerstone of modern cosmology, providing first evidence for cosmic acceleration and new tests of dark energy. Son et al. (S25) claim a strong redshift evolution in standardized supernova luminosities driven by supernova progenitor age, with dramatic cosmological implications: rapidly evolving dark energy, decelerating expansion, and a tension with CDM. We show that the underpinning evidence required for this conclusion – the supernova progenitor-age dependence, the redshift-dependent age difference, and their combined impact – is either negligible or relies on effects already corrected for in modern supernova analyses. First, the S25 analysis omits the standard host-galaxy stellar mass correction that captures known environmental dependencies that also correlate with stellar age. Applying this correction to the S25 sample, we find no dependence of standardized supernova brightness on host age. Independent data also show no significant difference at low-redshift in standardized brightness between star-forming galaxies and several Gyr older quiescent galaxies of the same stellar mass. Secondly, the S25 scenario predicts strong redshift evolution of the host-mass effect. Data from the Dark Energy Survey supernova survey measure evolution of , consistent with zero and altering the dark-energy equation-of-state measurement (w) by <0.01 if included. Thirdly, we demonstrate that the claimed Gyr progenitor age difference between nearby and distant supernovae is overstated by factors of three to five largely due to a conflation of host galaxy age with supernova progenitor age. We conclude that type Ia supernova cosmology remains robust for current measurements of dark energy.