Joint Astrophysical Colloquium
Understanding Fast Radio Bursts by pinpointing them at the highest resolution
Benito Marcote (Joint Institute for VLBI European Research Infrastructure Consortium (JIVE))
Thursday 11/04/2024 @ 11:30, Sala Antonio Sollima (IV piano Battiferro)
Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are brief yet intense signals originating from distant galaxies, lasting milliseconds. Despite the discovery of numerous FRBs, their fundamental nature remains enigmatic. Accurate pinpointing of FRBs can reveal their originating galaxies and surroundings, offering insights into the underlying physical mechanisms driving these energetic events. The European VLBI Network (EVN) stands out as the sole tool capable of pinpointing FRBs down to milliarcsecond precision. The initiation of the AstroFlash and PRECISE projects mark a significant step forward in monitoring repeating FRBs. The primary objective of PRECISE is to precisely localize these recurring FRBs with milliarcsecond accuracy, aiming to unravel the diverse environments where FRBs are produced. In this colloquium I will walk into the current landscape of FRB research, highlighting the PRECISE project and the recent localization achievements. These advancements have unveiled a spectrum of environments where FRBs originate, challenging existing models and broadening our understanding of these enigmatic cosmic phenomena.