Pulsar observations with LOFAR, SKA low
pathfinder
by Stefan Oslowski (Swinburne University of Technology)
Abstract.
Pulsars are extremely versatile laboratories of physics. While in the
last years most of the pulsar studies were undertaken at higher radio
frequencies, we are witnessing the renaissance of the low-frequency
observations. Numerous low frequency experiments are running, such as
MWA or LOFAR. In this talk I will give an overview of pulsar
observations with LOFAR with focus on high-cadence observations in
single station mode. Observations of pulsars at low frequencies allow
to study a number of areas in modern astrophysics. Since propagation
effects display a strong inverse dependence on frequency, they are
more pronounced at the low frequencies probed by LOFAR and other
SKA-low pathfinders. This enables more detailed studies of the ISM
than ever before. The benefits are not only the obvious, like an
improved understanding of the ionized medium in our Galaxy but also
indirect, such as improvements to high-precision experiments conducted
at higher radio frequencies which attempt to detect nanoHertz
gravitational waves. Some specific examples of science in this talk
are: testing models of Earth's ionosphere, studies of the solar wind,
probing variability of the ISM with unprecedented precision, as well
as an example of a wide angle refractive event.