Radio Wavelength Transients: Current and Emerging Prospects

TL;DR

This paper reviews current and emerging prospects in radio wavelength transient astronomy, highlighting known classes, hypothesized sources, and upcoming instruments that will enhance detection capabilities.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of radio transient classes, potential new sources, and discusses future observational facilities and their expected impact.

Findings

Existing radio transients include stellar flares and pulsars.

Hypothesized sources include extrasolar planets and extragalactic pulsars.

Upcoming instruments will significantly improve transient detection.

Abstract

Known classes of radio wavelength transients range from the nearby--stellar flares and radio pulsars--to the distant Universe--\gamma-ray burst afterglows. Hypothesized classes of radio transients include analogs of known objects, e.g., extrasolar planets emitting Jovian-like radio bursts and giant-pulse emitting pulsars in other galaxies, to the exotic, prompt emission from \gamma-ray bursts, evaporating black holes, and transmitters from other civilizations. A number of instruments and facilities are either under construction or in early observational stages and are slated to become available in the next few years. With a combination of wide fields of view and wavelength agility, the detection and study of radio transients will improve immensely.