CTAO | Australia Meeting #2 2024

13 Nov 2024, 10:15 → 14 Nov 2024, 17:10 Australia/Sydney

CTAO | Australia Meeting #2 2024

Nov 13 - 14,  2024

This meeting will provide some updates on the status of CTAO, and related key activities (funding plans, CTAO data challenge, CTAO-Pol for optical astronomy). There will also be an emphasis on synergies with radio facilities such as the ATCA and the SKAO.

For ongoing updates on CTAO, please visit the CTAO news website for more details

Venue:
West. Syd. Uni. Parramatta-City campus
Peter Shergold Building  (about 300m north of Parramatta train station)
Room PC-01.2.26 (LS) 

See map  here: link

Accommodation: There are a number of hotels  in the Parramatta City region to choose from. See map link here for listings and  prices for the 13-14 Nov period: link

Zoom access: https://adelaide.zoom.us/j/81631661214?pwd=N1ZGV1hKREZ3eGRZL3pQem80VFhjdz09

Please note that there is no registration fee for this event.

Scientific Organising Committee

Gavin Rowell, Uni Adelaide, Australia
Sabrina Einecke, Uni Adelaide, Australia

Local Organising Committee

Nick Tothill, West. Syd. Uni
Miroslav Filipovic, West.  Syd. Uni.
Sanja  Lazarevic, West. Syd. Uni.
Gavin Rowell, Uni Adelaide
Sabrina Einecke, Uni Adelaide
Paddy McGee, Uni Adelaide
 

Wednesday, 13 November

10:45 → 11:15 Morning tea

11:15 → 13:00 Public

11:15 CTAO: Status

Speakers: Dr Gavin Rowell (School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide), Sabrina Einecke (The University of Adelaide, Australia), Simon Lee (School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide)

gpr-CTAStatus.pdf

11:30 3D Modelling of Galactic Sources: Overview, Status und Future

Speaker: Sabrina Einecke (The University of Adelaide, Australia)

3DModelling.pdf

12:00 1st CTAO School experience and Overview of SNR G289.6+5.8

I will share my experience from the first CTAO School and give a brief overview of the EMU discovery of a new high-latitude Galactic supernova remnant, G289.6+5.8, coinciding with a young X-ray binary.

Speaker: Ms Sanja Lazarevic (Western Sydney University)

CTA-Oz.pptx

12:30 Ancora Supernova Remnant G288.8-6.3 in the context of multiwavelenth observations

Current-generation radio surveys, such as the EMU survey with ASKAP, are revealing an increasing number of low-surface brightness radio SNRs at high Galactic latitudes, such as the newly discovered Ancora supernova remnant (SNR) was recently detected with ASKAP at (l, b) = (288.8, -6.3) by Filipovic et al. 2023. Analysing 15 years of Fermi-LAT data, we detect spatially extended γ-ray emission coinciding with the radio SNR, with detection significance up to 8.8σ and a spectrum extending up to around 5 GeV (CBS et al. 2024). Ancora SNR has since also been observed in optical (Fesen et al. 2024) revealing OIII and Hα emission from the region. It should also be possible to observe the object with the upcoming CTAO-South instrument.

Speaker: Christopher Burger-Scheidlin

2024-11-13_Burger-Scheidlin_Ancora_indicio.pdf

13:00 → 14:00 Lunch

14:00 → 15:15 Public

14:00 The SKAO and high-energy synergies

I will provide an update on the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), the fundamental science drivers together with their synergies with high-energy astronomy, and the expected design and scope of the project. I will also provide an update specifically on the progress of the growing SKAO entity in Australia and South Africa, including the Science and Engineering Operations Centres, and details of the roll out plan of the SKA-Low and SKA-Mid telescopes, and how it might align with astroparticle physics. I'll highlight pathways for involvement (from students through science engagement to employment opportunities).

Speaker: Jimi Green

14:30 How an AGN jet can impact the habitability of a neighbouring galaxy: A case study of NGC 5078 and IC4222

I will provide an overview about some current research I am conducting, which is analysing a potentially interacting pair of galaxies, NGC 5078 and IC4222, to investigate the potential impact of an AGN jet impacting a nearby galaxy. The radio jet of the AGN NGC 5078 appears to be oriented towards the smaller IC4222 and there is some evidence of physical interaction. Some preliminary SED modelling supports a scenario where there was an episodic drop in star formation rate for the impacted galaxy, potentially coinciding with an AGN jet impact. I plan to investigate how this may impact galactic habitability from a theoretical perspective.

Speaker: Zachary Smeaton

CTAAGNtalk.pdf

14:45 Constructing a new data set for detecting Supernova remnant candidates

There is an observed discrepancy of nearly 700 sources between theory and observation for the supernova remnants (SNRs) population in the Galactic plane. Their mean radio spectral index of −0.5 makes these objects brighter at low frequencies. The Murchison Widefield Array, a low-frequency radio interferometer, is a useful resource in detecting radio emissions from SNRs thanks to the wide field of view (102 − 103 sq.deg.) and the observing band (72–300 MHz). The array has operated in two different configurations: Phase I using shorter baselines to resolve large-scale structures (2′ − 15◦) reaching a noise level of 10 mJy beam−1, and Phase II that doubled the length of the baselines to capture the details of smaller scales (45′′ − 20′ ). Its lowered confusion limit enables better sensitivity over long integrations (∼1 mJy beam−1). To take advantage of both the resolution and sensitivity, we are jointly deconvolving those two sets of data using a GPU-based Image Domain Gridding (IDG) extension of WSCLEAN along part of the southern Galactic plane, 285◦ < l < 70◦ and |b| < 10◦. We aim to achieve a noise level between 10–2 mJy beam−1 across the observing band. This work will permit us to identify several more SNR candidates and investigate the possible associations with unclassified γ-ray sources. In this talk, I will examine the application of the IDG algorithm in detail and show preliminary results.

Speaker: Silvia Mantovanini (Curtin University)

CTAO-Mantovanini-2024.pdf

15:30 → 16:00 Afternoon tea

16:00 → 17:30 Public

16:00 CTAO sensitivity to realistic dark matter scenarios

I will present an update of the CTA prospects for dark matter detection based on galactic centre observations, using dark matter effective field theory and simplified models as theoretical templates.

Speaker: Martin White (University of Adelaide)

CTA-Oz-2024.pdf

16:30 A phenomenological model approach for indirect dark matter detection

The nature of dark matter is now ubiquitous as one of the greatest puzzles to modern physics. Various efforts exist to narrow down its nature, including indirect direct detection experiments. These experiments presume dark matter particles annihilate, decay or through other means produce standard model particles that we can observe and relate back to the dark matter physics involved. One such planned experiment involves the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO). CTAO offers the ability to constrain some areas of the dark matter parameter space by over a magnitude and possibly a 2-3 sigma detection if one presumes standard WIMP dark matter parameter values. In this talk, I detail how we can transform gamma ray event data into information on dark matter parameters, and how one can do this without specifying a particular dark matter model. Despite the lack of initial model, the results of this analysis can be used to possibly exclude dark matter models given future data.

Speaker: Liam Pinchbeck (Monash University)

Project Presentation CTAO-Australia.pptx

17:00 Searching for New Physics with CTAO

An excess of gamma rays has long been observed by the Fermi-LAT experiment in the galactic centre in the GeV range. Although it is consistent with dark matter annihilation, it has been shown that it could also be due to an unresolved population of Millisecond Pulsars (MSPs). I will present an analysis that investigates under what conditions the Cherenkov Telescope Array could resolve TeV emission from the same source population, opening a new window into this astrophysical background for dark matter searches.

Speaker: Hayden James

CTAO_MSP_Hayden_James-1.pdf

18:30 → 20:30 Dinner @ Holy Basil Parramatta

Thursday, 14 November

10:00 → 11:00 CTA-Oz Session: Internal

10:00 CTAO-Oz: Strategies and Funding Plans

I will present an update on the status of CTA, an overview Australia's involvements in CTA, and future funding plans for Australia's contributions moving towards the operational phase of CTA.

Speaker: Dr Gavin Rowell (School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide)

gpr-CTA-funding.pdf

gpr-final-points.pdf

10:30 Status: CTAO-Pol

Optical polarimetry is an identified area in which Australia can contribute to CTAO. We are planning to construct a prototype polarimeter to be installed on one or more Australian optical telescopes.

Over the last few months, we've been able to look at our test data to check for sensitivity to polarisation signals. We find that one spot is brighter than the other, and this seems to be consistent.

Speaker: Nick Tothill (Western Sydney University)

20241114_cta-pol_pta.pdf

10:50 Update: CTAO-CTAC MoU

Speaker: Nick Tothill (Western Sydney University)

20241114_cta-mou_pta.pdf

11:00 → 11:30 Morning tea

11:30 → 13:00 Public

11:30 An Update from AAL

AAL provides ongoing funding and administrative support for the Australian engagement with the CTAO. We also look after several other international engagements. This update will describe how all the AAL projects fit together and the prospects for deepening the relationship with CTAO.

Speaker: James Murray (Astronomy Australia Limited)

AAL CTA Update.pdf

AAL CTA Update.pptx

11:45 Optimisation ov Event Reconstruction

Speaker: Ms Violet Harvey (The University of Adelaide)

ctao-australia_meeting-2024-11.pdf

12:15 Trigger Performance Study

Speaker: Simon Lee (School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide)

2024_11_CTAO_Australia_simon.pdf

12:45 WiFeS Spectral Studies of H-alpha Features in the Scutum Supershell

The Scutum Supershell’s blowout includes spine and bow shock components, which are studied to investigate their physical and ionization properties. Previous studies have revealed optical from Hα, [S II], radio continuum PMN, and IR emissions in the right bow shock, characterised by high intensities in Hα and [S II] but lacking clear overlaps with known shock excitation sources. Spectroscopy analysis of the [S II]/Hα ratio, along with other emission lines, indicates complex ionisation processes: photoionisation likely dominates the spine region, while the left and right shock regions exhibit characteristics of shock excitation, with low-velocity shocks evidenced by weak [O III] 5007 Å emissions.

Speaker: Rami Alsulami

Cta_OZ_11-2024_Rami.pdf

13:00 → 14:00 Lunch

14:00 → 16:30 Public

14:00 Variability of the Galactic CRs and Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission Predicted with GALPROP

We use the GALPROP cosmic ray (CR) framework to model the Galactic CR distributions and associated non-thermal diffuse emissions up to PeV energies. We consider ensembles of discrete, finite lifetime CR sources, e.g.~supernova remnants (SNRs), for a range of creation rates and lifetimes. We find that global properties of the CR sources are likely not directly recoverable from the current `snapshot' of the historic injection and propagation of CRs within the Galaxy that are provided by the data. We show that models for the diffuse gamma rays based on the discrete/time-dependent scenarios we consider are able to explain LHAASO very-/ultra-high energy (VHE/UHE) gamma-ray data with up to 50\% contribution by unresolved leptonic sources at the highest energies. Over the models that we consider, variations in the diffuse VHE emissions can be approximately 25\%, which is comparable to those for steady-state models that we investigated in earlier work. Such variations due to the discrete/finite nature of the CR sources are an important factor that are necessary to construct accurate physical models of the diffuse emissions from the Galaxy at VHE/UHEs.

Speaker: Dr Peter Marinos (Stanford University)

2024_11_CTA_Oz_Slides.pdf

14:30 ATCA and LBA monitoring of AGN in the CTAO era

The current capabilities and future prospects of the Australia Telescope Compact Array and Long Baseline Array will be presented.

Speaker: Phil Edwards

CTA2024-Edwards.pdf

15:00 SKAO Science Operations update: a ‘year in the life’ of the world’s largest radio telescope

The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) Science Operations Team is focused on the development and implementation of various workflows and procedures to ensure that SKA-Low and SKA-Mid will be operationally ready for transformational science. In this talk, I will give an overview of who we are and our current key objectives. I will discuss progress for envisioning a ‘year in the life’ of the SKA (similar to what is being done for the CTA). I will also describe the tools that we have begun releasing to the community, including a sensitivity calculator and subarray templates library.

Speaker: Jess Broderick

jess_broderick_skao.pdf

15:30 New ASKAP results

From Perun via Diprotodon and Ankora to Teleios!

Speaker: Miroslav Filipovic (Western Sydney University)

16:00 ASKAP EMU Radio Detection of the Reflection Nebula VdB-80 (Lagotis)

We present a new radio detection associated with the reflection nebula VdB-80 (nicknamed Lagotis). Reflection nebulae are typically associated with reflection of starlight off gas and dust in the optical range, making the detection of radio emission unique and interesting. This radio-continuum emission was discovered in the ASKAP EMU survey. The reflection nebula is situated in the 'Crossbones' filamentary structure in the Mon R2 molecular cloud. This source has previously been suggested to support a \HII\ region, which we explore with radio and infrared data.

Speaker: Aaron Bradley