Synergy between the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory

TL;DR

The paper explores the complementary scientific capabilities of the Cherenkov Telescope Array and Vera C. Rubin Observatory, emphasizing their potential synergy in multi-messenger and time-domain astrophysics.

Contribution

It analyzes how these observatories can jointly study non-thermal extragalactic sources and addresses the challenge of selecting alerts for coordinated observations.

Findings

Potential for combined observations of gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei.

Use of the Fink broker to identify blazar variability for targeted follow-up.

Synergy could advance understanding of TeV-PeV neutrinos and cosmic rays.

Abstract

The Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory are set to transform our understanding of the universe over the next decade. These two observatories have multiple areas of complementarity in their scientific applications, ranging from constraints on cosmological parameters to studies of asteroid occultations. The most opportune area of synergy probably lies in the field of time-domain astronomy. Due to their sensitivity and saturation limits, it will be difficult for the two observatories to conduct joint studies of variable and transient sources in the Milky Way. However, they could offer a fresh and rich perspective on non-thermal extragalactic sources, in particular gamma-ray bursts, active galactic nuclei and jetted tidal disruption events. Among these sources lie the best candidates for multi-messenger research into the origin of TeV-PeV neutrinos and multi-EeV cosmic rays. Thus, combined with multi-wavelength observations by X-ray satellites and wide-field gamma-ray instruments, the synergy between Rubin and the CTAO could provide answers to some of the most important questions in astroparticle physics. This scientific potential comes with a challenge: selecting a few alerts from the ten million issued by Rubin each night to repoint the CTAO telescopes. We use the variability of blazars over timescales ranging from a few days to several years as a case study to demonstrate how to address this challenge using the Fink broker of Rubin.