Abstract for Proposal 088332

Search for the X-ray afterglows from the nearest Fast Radio Bursts

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are brief radio transients originating from ~Gpc distances. Most models for FRBs, including the leading magnetar models expect high-energy (0.1-100 keV) counterparts and afterglows to FRBs. The recent detection of a Galactic FRB with a hard X-ray burst from magnetar SGR 1935+2154 lends support to this picture. However, most FRBs are too far for current X-ray telescopes to detect afterglow emission. We propose to leverage the high FRB detection rate of the CHIME/FRB system and a low-latency localization pipeline to trigger XMM-Newton observations of FRBs at distances nearer than 50 Mpc to observe within 12 hrs of the FRB detection. The sensitivity of XMM-Newton and the proximity will allow us to detect afterglows 1000x fainter than previous observations.



Details on Observing Strategy and Trigger Criteria
Trigger: FRBs detected by CHIME/FRB associated with host galaxies at distances < 50 Mpc and are immediately visible to XMM-Newton. We will contact the XMM-Newton Science Operations Center within 2-3 hours of FRB detection and localization. We request one 5-ks observation be done as soon as possible. If the SOC determines that observations cannot be made within 12 hours of the FRB detection, we will withdraw the ToO trigger and await a new FRB. If an X-ray source is detected in the first observation, we request 2 follow up observations of 5-ks each, about 2 days and one week after the first observation. We request 2 ToO triggers over AO20 and AO21.