A fast radio burst with frequency-dependent polarization detected during Breakthrough Listen observations
Abstract
Here, we report on the detection and verification of fast radio burst FRB 180301, which occurred on UTC 2018 March 1 during the Breakthrough Listen observations with the Parkes telescope. Full-polarization voltage data of the detection were captured - a first for non-repeating FRBs - allowing for coherent de-dispersion and additional verification tests. The coherently de-dispersed dynamic spectrum of FRB 180301 shows complex, polarized frequency structure over a small fractional bandwidth. As FRB 180301 was detected close to the geosynchronous satellite band during a time of known 1-2 GHz satellite transmissions, we consider whether the burst was due to radio interference emitted or reflected from an orbiting object. Based on the pre-ponderance of our verification tests, we cannot conclusively determine FRB 180301 to be either astrophysical or anthropogenic in origin.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- July 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/stz958
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1901.07412
- Bibcode:
- 2019MNRAS.486.3636P
- Keywords:
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- methods: data analysis;
- methods: observational;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- Submitted to MNRAS