LBA observations for project V615 semester 2023OCTS

Full description

We have recently discovered a candidate ultra-long period magnetar, which rotates just once every 75 seconds yet still produces radio pulses. This is potentially prototypical of a numerous source class that may be associated with energetic phenomena such as Fast Radio Bursts. Using LBA astrometry, we wish to determine the proper motion and parallax of this source, which will enable us to 1) estimate its transverse velocity and constrain birth scenarios, 2) potentially associate the source with a birth site, and 3) calibrate X-ray measurements of the neutron star temperature and hence cooling models. The final observation from an exploratory allocation of 4 epochs has recently been made, and the two epochs that have been correlated and reduced indicate that we will be able to meet the astrometric goals. Hence, we return now to propose for a further allocation of 4 epochs to complete the program.