GBT17A-319

Multi-frequency GBT Observations of the Repeating Fast Radio Burst FRB 121102

Abstract

FRB 121102 is the first and, so far, only repeating fast radio burst. Follow-up of this FRB with the GBT and Arecibo have detected 16 bursts in total, revealing surprising spectral characteristics, but much is still unknown, including whether there is any characteristic timescale for bursting activity or an underlying periodicity to the bursts, and the emission properties >3 GHz. Despite intensive efforts to detect more bursts with several telescopes, including the VLA, Effelsberg, and LOFAR, our investigations are limited by a small number of bursts detected with relatively narrow fractional bandwidth at either L-Band or S-Band, and all with Arecibo or the GBT. Better characterizing the burst properties and spectrum of FRB 121102 are essential to understanding the underlying source of emission, and to do this we need continued monitoring with sensitive single-dish telescopes. We therefore propose to continue GBT S-Band observations of the FRB, and to use brand new capabilities offered by VEGAS to obtain wideband, instantaneous frequency coverage from 4--8 GHz using C-Band, which no other telescope can offer.

Investigators

Name	Institution
Ryan Lynch *	Green Bank Observatory
Michael Lam	Cornell University; Rochester Institute of Technology; West Virginia University; SETI Institute
Paul Scholz	Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada; Toronto, University of
Jason Hessels	Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy; Amsterdam, Universiteit van
Vicky Kaspi	McGill University
Andrew Seymour	Green Bank Observatory; National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center ; West Virginia University
Laura Spitler	Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie
Ingrid Stairs	British Columbia, University of

* indicates the PI