GBT14A-552

A pulsar search towards an X-ray transient in M31

Abstract

We would like to rapidly follow-up the discovery of an X-ray transient in M31. This sound has been localized to 3 arcseconds with SWIFT. It is possible that this source is a magnetar. If so, this would be the first confirmed discovery of an isolated neutron star outside of our galaxy and the Magellanic clouds. The detection of radio pulsations would enable us to constrain the dispersion to the galaxy and add to the small sample of radio-pulsing magnetars. A lack of radio pulsations is also critical to report, in order to aid the interpretation of this detection. Finally, this beams will provide and extremely sensitive search of M31 that could result in the discovery of pulsars or transients unrelated to the SWIFT announcements. We request observations at two frequencies, due to the unknown spectrum of the source. If the 350 MHz receiver is not available, 800 MHz would be suitable. (There really is not a strong scientific motivation for one over the other).

Investigators

Name	Institution
Dunc Lorimer	West Virginia University
Maura McLaughlin *	West Virginia University

* indicates the PI