The MeerKAT 1.3 GHz Survey of the Large Magellanic Cloud

TL;DR

This paper reports on a detailed 1.3 GHz radio survey of the Large Magellanic Cloud using MeerKAT, providing high-resolution images and initial astrophysical findings including new supernova remnant candidates and radio detections of known objects.

Contribution

First comprehensive MeerKAT 1.3 GHz survey of the LMC with full-Stokes data, revealing new astrophysical sources and showcasing initial scientific results.

Findings

Identification of a new supernova remnant candidate

Detection of planetary nebulae and Wolf-Rayet stars in radio

View of the star-forming region 30 Doradus with high resolution

Abstract

We present a radio-continuum survey of the LMC using the MeerKAT telescope, describe the full-Stokes products included in the first data release, and highlight some initial results. The observations are centred at 1.3 GHz with a bandwidth of 0.8 GHz. The imaging products comprise six fields of view, each encompassing $\sim$5$^\circ$ $\times$ 5$^\circ$ with the resulting images achieving a resolution of 8". The median broad-band Stokes~I image root-mean-square noise value is $\sim$11 $\mu$Jy beam$^{-1}$. The survey enables a variety of astrophysical studies, which we showcase with the presentation of a few findings. Within the LMC we identify a new supernova remnant candidate; present planetary nebulae and Wolf-Rayet stars without previous radio detections; and show the MeerKAT view of the well-known star-forming region 30 Doradus. We also present some examples of interesting foreground and background sources in the field, including the AB~Dor multiple-star system, a radio ring galaxy, a possible Odd Radio Circle, and a remarkable bent-tail radio galaxy.