Kavli Affiliate: Robert A. Simcoe
| First 5 Authors: Danielle Frostig, Viraj R. Karambelkar, Robert D. Stein, Nathan P. Lourie, Mansi M. Kasliwal
| Summary:
We present near-infrared follow-up observations of the International
Gravitational Wave Network (IGWN) event S250206dm with the Wide-Field Infrared
Transient Explorer (WINTER). WINTER is a near-infrared time-domain survey
designed for electromagnetic follow-up of gravitational-wave sources localized
to $leq$300 deg$^{2}$. The instrument’s wide field of view (1.2 deg$^2$),
dedicated 1-m robotic telescope, and near-infrared coverage (0.9-1.7 microns)
are optimized for searching for kilonovae, which are expected to exhibit a
relatively long-lived near-infrared component. S250206dm is the only neutron
star merger in the fourth observing run (to date) localized to $leq$300
deg$^{2}$ with a False Alarm Rate below one per year. It has a $55%$
probability of being a neutron star-black hole (NSBH) merger and a $37%$
probability of being a binary neutron star (BNS) merger, with a $50%$ credible
region spanning 38 deg$^2$, an estimated distance of 373 Mpc, and an overall
false alarm rate of approximately one in 25 years. WINTER covered $43%$ of the
probability area at least once and $35%$ at least three times. Through
automated and human candidate vetting, all transient candidates found in WINTER
coverage were rejected as kilonova candidates. Unsurprisingly, given the large
estimated distance of 373 Mpc, the WINTER upper limits do not constrain
kilonova models. This study highlights the promise of systematic infrared
searches and the need for future wider and deeper infrared surveys.
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