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Marongiu, M, Pellizzoni, A, Egron, E, Laskar, T, Giroletti, M, Loru, S, Melis, A, Carboni, G, Guidorzi, C, Kobayashi, S, Jordana-Mitjans, N, Rossi, A, Mundell, CG, Concu, R, Martone, R and Nicastro, L (2020) Methods for detection and analysis of weak radio sources with single-dish radio telescopes. Experimental Astronomy, 49. pp. 159-182. ISSN 0922-6435
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2004.00346.pdf - Accepted Version Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
The detection of mJy/sub-mJy point sources is a significant challenge for single-dish radio telescopes. Detection or upper limits on the faint afterglow from GRBs or other sources at cosmological distances are important means of constraining the source modeling. Using the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT), we compare the sensitivity and robustness of three methods applied to the detection of faint radio sources from raster maps around a known source position: the smart ‘quick-look’ method, the ‘source extraction’ method (typical of high-energy astronomy), and the fit with a 2-D Gaussian. We developed a Python code specific for the analysis of point-like radio sources applied to the SRT C-band (6.9 GHz) observations of both undetected sources (GRB afterglows of 181201A and 190114C) and the detected Galactic X-ray binary GRS 1915 + 105. Our comparative analysis of the different detection methods made extensive use of simulations as a useful complement to actual radio observations. The best method for the SRT data analysis is the fit with a 2-D Gaussian, as it pushes down the sensitivity limits of single-dish observations – with respect to more traditional techniques – to ∼ 1.8 mJy, improving by ∼ 40 % compared with the initial value. This analysis shows that – especially for faint sources – good maps of the scanned region pre- or post-outburst are essential.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Additional Information: | This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10686-020-09658-9 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Science & Technology; Physical Sciences; Astronomy & Astrophysics; Radio astronomy; Faint sources; Single-dish; Gamma-ray Bursts; Sardinia radio telescope; GAMMA-RAY BURST; AFTERGLOW; FLARE; 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences; Astronomy & Astrophysics |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QB Astronomy Q Science > QC Physics |
| Divisions: | Astrophysics Research Institute |
| Publisher: | Springer (part of Springer Nature) |
| SWORD Depositor: | A Symplectic |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Mar 2023 12:58 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Mar 2023 13:00 |
| DOI or ID number: | 10.1007/s10686-020-09658-9 |
| URI: | https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/19107 |
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