Transient Simulations for Radio Surveys

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Monte-Carlo simulation tool to accurately estimate transient rates in radio surveys, adaptable to various observational setups and light curve models, aiding in the planning and analysis of transient searches.

Contribution

The work presents a flexible simulation code that calculates transient rates based on diverse observational parameters and light curve shapes, enhancing radio transient survey analysis.

Findings

Simulation code successfully models transient detection rates.

Applicable to various telescopes and wavelength regimes.

Facilitates optimized survey design and transient rate estimation.

Abstract

Several new radio facilities have a field of view and sensitivity well suited for transient searches. This makes it more important than ever to accurately determine transient rates in radio surveys. The work presented here seeks to do this task by using Monte-Carlo simulations. In particular, the user inputs either a real or simulated observational setup, and the simulations code calculates transient rate as a function of transient duration and peak flux. These simulations allow for simulating a wide variety of scenarios including observations with varying sensitivities and durations, multiple overlapping telescope pointings, and a wide variety of light curve shapes with the user having the ability to easily add more. While the current scientific focus is on the radio regime, with examples given here from the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa, the simulations code can be easily adapted to other wavelength regimes.