The SNEWS 2.0 Alert Software for the Coincident Detection of Neutrinos from Core-Collapse Supernovae

TL;DR

SNEWS 2.0 is a software system that combines signals from multiple neutrino detectors worldwide to provide early alerts for supernova explosions, enabling timely multi-messenger observations.

Contribution

This paper introduces the SNEWS 2.0 framework, a scalable, multi-detector alert system utilizing a publish-subscribe architecture for early supernova detection.

Findings

Successfully integrated multiple detectors into the SNEWS 2.0 network

Demonstrated coincidence-based alert formation and false-positive estimation

Initial tests show reliable detection of coincident neutrino signals

Abstract

The neutrino signal from the next galactic core-collapse supernova will provide an invaluable early warning of the explosion. By combining the burst trigger from several neutrino detectors, the location of the explosion can be triangulated minutes to hours before the optical emission becomes visible, while also reducing the rate of false-positive triggers. To enable multi-messenger follow-up of nearby supernovae, the SuperNova Early Warning System 2.0 (SNEWS 2.0) will produce a combined alert using a global network of neutrino detectors. This paper describes the trigger publishing and alert formation framework of the SNEWS 2.0 network. The framework is built on the HOPSKOTCH publish-subscribe system to easily incorporate new detectors into the network, and it implements a coincidence system to form alerts and estimate a false-positive rate for the combined triggers. The paper outlines the structure of the SNEWS 2.0 software and the initial testing of coincident signals.