CHIME/FRB Outriggers: KKO Station System and Commissioning Results

Kavli Affiliate: Kiyoshi W. Masui

| First 5 Authors: Adam E. Lanman, Shion Andrew, Mattias Lazda, Vishwangi Shah, Mandana Amiri

| Summary:

Localizing fast radio bursts (FRBs) to their host galaxies is an essential
step to better understanding their origins and using them as cosmic probes. The
CHIME/FRB Outrigger program aims to add VLBI-localization capabilities to
CHIME, such that FRBs may be localized to tens of milliarcsecond precision at
the time of their discovery, more than sufficient for host galaxy
identification. The first-built outrigger telescope is KKO, located 66
kilometers west of CHIME. Cross-correlating KKO with CHIME can achieve
arcsecond-scale localization in right ascension while avoiding the worst
effects of the ionosphere. This paper presents measurements of KKO’s
performance throughout its commissioning phase, as well as a summary of its
design and function. We demonstrate KKO’s capabilities as a standalone
instrument by producing full-sky images, mapping the angular and frequency
structure of the primary beam, and measuring feed positions. To demonstrate the
localization capabilities of the CHIME — KKO baseline, we collected five
separate observations each for a set of twenty bright pulsars, and aimed to
measure their positions to within 5~arcseconds. All of these pulses were
successfully localized to within this specification. The next two outriggers
are expected to be commissioned in 2024, and will enable subarcsecond
localizations for approximately hundreds of FRBs each year.

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