The Commensal Real-time ASKAP Fast Transients (CRAFT) survey

TL;DR

The CRAFT survey aims to detect fast transient radio sources using ASKAP, combining high sensitivity and wide field of view, to explore energetic cosmic events and probe the intergalactic medium.

Contribution

This paper introduces a novel commensal survey method for real-time detection of fast radio transients with ASKAP, advancing high time resolution radio astronomy.

Findings

Development of hardware capable of real-time dedispersion and searching

Implementation of a commensal survey mode with ASKAP

Potential to discover new classes of energetic cosmic transients

Abstract

We are developing a purely commensal survey experiment for fast (<5s) transient radio sources. Short-timescale transients are associated with the most energetic and brightest single events in the Universe. Our objective is to cover the enormous volume of transients parameter space made available by ASKAP, with an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and field of view. Fast timescale transients open new vistas on the physics of high brightness temperature emission, extreme states of matter and the physics of strong gravitational fields. In addition, the detection of extragalactic objects affords us an entirely new and extremely sensitive probe on the huge reservoir of baryons present in the IGM. We outline here our approach to the considerable challenge involved in detecting fast transients, particularly the development of hardware fast enough to dedisperse and search the ASKAP data stream at or near real-time rates. Through CRAFT, ASKAP will provide the testbed of many of the key technologies and survey modes proposed for high time resolution science with the SKA.