Uncovering the Elusive Origin of Fast Radio Bursts

Event Date:
2023-03-27T15:00:00
2023-03-27T16:00:00
Event Location:
HENN 318
Speaker:
Dr. Tarraneh Eftekhari (Northwestern University)
Related Upcoming Events:
Intended Audience:
Undergraduate
Local Contact:

Allison Man (aman@phas.ubc.ca)

*All are welcome to this event!

Event Information:

Abstract:

Upgrades in multiple fast radio burst (FRB) experiments have led to a growing sample of precisely localized events, enabling host galaxy associations and detailed observations of the immediate environments surrounding FRBs. Such observations play a key role in elucidating the stellar populations that give rise to FRB progenitors. Indeed, host galaxy demographics, as well as the spatial offsets of FRBs from their host galaxy centers, can be used to inform progenitor channels. The localizations of two repeating FRBs to dwarf galaxies, their coincidence with persistent radio sources, and their large observed excess dispersion measures (DMs) stand in stark contrast to other localized events, which generally reside in more massive galaxies and exhibit modest excess DMs. Understanding this dichotomy among FRB hosts will provide critical insight into the stellar populations prevalent in FRB host galaxies and hence their likely progenitors.

In this talk, I will review our current knowledge of FRB progenitors based on the properties of a small, but growing sample of host galaxies. I will also outline key follow-up observations that will lend to detailed characterizations of the galactic and local environments of FRBs, thereby shedding light on their progenitor channels.

Bio:

I am a NASA Hubble Einstein Fellow and Radio Astronomer at Northwestern University and a member of the Fast and Fortunate for FRB Follow-up (F4) collaboration. My research focuses on a broad range of astrophysical transients, ranging from fast radio bursts to superluminous supernovae and tidal disruption events. I'm particularly interested in studying the radio properties of these sources to answer key questions about their progenitors, outflows, and environments.

I received my PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Harvard in 2021, and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2015, where I worked as part of the Long Wavelength Array collaboration.

In my time off, I enjoy playing piano, strength training, carpentry, and delving into Tolkien lore. Though I'm Chicago-bound for the time being, I’m a desert dweller at heart, hailing from the enchanted mountains of Northern New Mexico.

 

Learn More:

View Tarraneh's personal website here

See her Northwestern webpage here

 

Add to Calendar 2023-03-27T15:00:00 2023-03-27T16:00:00 Uncovering the Elusive Origin of Fast Radio Bursts Event Information: Abstract: Upgrades in multiple fast radio burst (FRB) experiments have led to a growing sample of precisely localized events, enabling host galaxy associations and detailed observations of the immediate environments surrounding FRBs. Such observations play a key role in elucidating the stellar populations that give rise to FRB progenitors. Indeed, host galaxy demographics, as well as the spatial offsets of FRBs from their host galaxy centers, can be used to inform progenitor channels. The localizations of two repeating FRBs to dwarf galaxies, their coincidence with persistent radio sources, and their large observed excess dispersion measures (DMs) stand in stark contrast to other localized events, which generally reside in more massive galaxies and exhibit modest excess DMs. Understanding this dichotomy among FRB hosts will provide critical insight into the stellar populations prevalent in FRB host galaxies and hence their likely progenitors. In this talk, I will review our current knowledge of FRB progenitors based on the properties of a small, but growing sample of host galaxies. I will also outline key follow-up observations that will lend to detailed characterizations of the galactic and local environments of FRBs, thereby shedding light on their progenitor channels. Bio: I am a NASA Hubble Einstein Fellow and Radio Astronomer at Northwestern University and a member of the Fast and Fortunate for FRB Follow-up (F4) collaboration. My research focuses on a broad range of astrophysical transients, ranging from fast radio bursts to superluminous supernovae and tidal disruption events. I'm particularly interested in studying the radio properties of these sources to answer key questions about their progenitors, outflows, and environments. I received my PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics from Harvard in 2021, and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2015, where I worked as part of the Long Wavelength Array collaboration. In my time off, I enjoy playing piano, strength training, carpentry, and delving into Tolkien lore. Though I'm Chicago-bound for the time being, I’m a desert dweller at heart, hailing from the enchanted mountains of Northern New Mexico.   Learn More: View Tarraneh's personal website here See her Northwestern webpage here   Event Location: HENN 318