Search for Fast Radio Bursts in the Direction of the Galaxies M31 and M33

TL;DR

This study conducted a multi-year search for fast radio bursts near galaxies M31 and M33 using the Lebedev Physical Institute's Large Phased Array at 111 MHz, detecting several bursts with varying dispersion measures.

Contribution

It presents the first dedicated search for FRBs in the directions of M31 and M33 at low frequencies, identifying multiple candidate bursts and their dispersion measures.

Findings

Detected 3 bursts near M33, 5 near M31, and 1 offset from M31's center.

Dispersion measures ranged from 203 to 1262 pc·cm^-3.

Confirmed the presence of transient radio signals in the targeted regions.

Abstract

The results of a search for individual fast radio bursts with the Large Phased Array of the Lebedev Physical Institute at 111 MHz during July 2012 through August 2018 are presented. The signals were distinguished by convolving the data with a template with a fixed form, followed by convolution with test dispersion measures. Areas of sky containing the galaxies M31 and M33 were chosen for the search. Three radio bursts were detected in the vicinity of M33, five in the vicinity of M31, and one in a region offset from the center of M31 by an hour in right ascension. The dispersion measures of the detected bursts range from 203 to 1262 $ pc \cdot cm^{-3}$.