High time resolution radio astronomy with low-frequency interferometric arrays

Abstract

High time resolution applications of radio astronomy including pulsars and fast radio bursts are proving to be incredibly scientifically rewarding in terms of the depth and breadth of new physics and astrophysics they unveil. While the use of large single-dish type instruments has been dominating the field over the past decades, with the emergence of several next-generation radio facilities including the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) pre-cursors and pathfinders, it becomes imperative to develop and master suitable high time resolution functionalities that are effective for interferometric instruments. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) - the low-frequency pre-cursor to the SKA - provides excellent opportunities to help realise the related goals. This paper will describe the high time resolution mode being developed for the MWA and highlight early science results, including the lowest-frequency scintillation observations of the millisecond pulsar PSR J0437-4715.