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Line-intensity mapping is a promising probe of the Universe’s large-scale structure. We explore the sensitivity of the DSA-2000, a forthcoming array consisting of over 2000 dishes, to the statistical power spectrum of neutral hydrogen’s 21 cm emission line. These measurements would reveal the distribution of neutral hydrogen throughout the near-redshift Universe without necessitating resolving individual sources. The success of these measurements relies on the instrument’s sensitivity and resilience to systematics. We show that the DSA-2000 will have the sensitivity needed to detect the 21 cm power spectrum at z ≈ 0.5 and across power spectrum modes of 0.03–35.12 h/Mpc with 0.1 h/Mpc resolution. We find that supplementing the nominal array design with a dense core of 200 antennas will expand its sensitivity at low power spectrum modes and enable measurement of Baryon Acoustic Oscillations. Finally, we present a qualitative discussion of the DSA-2000's unique resilience to sources of systematic error that can preclude 21 cm intensity mapping.more » « less
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Abstract FRB 121102 is the first fast radio burst to be spatially associated with a persistent radio source (QRS 121102), the nature of which remains unknown. We constrain the physical size of QRS 121102 by measuring its flux-density variability with the VLA from 12 to 26 GHz. Any such variability would likely be due to Galactic refractive scintillation and would require the source radius to be ≲1017cm at the host-galaxy redshift. We found the radio variability to be lower than the scintillation theory predictions for such a small source, leaving open the possibility for non-AGN models for QRS 121102. In addition, we roughly estimated the mass of any potential supermassive black hole (BH) associated with QRS 121102 from the line width of the host-galaxy Hαemission using a new optical spectrum from the Keck Observatory. The line width indicates a supermassive BH mass of ≲104∼5M⊙, too low for the observed radio luminosity and X-ray luminosity constraints, if QRS 121102 were an AGN. Finally, some dwarf galaxies that host supermassive BHs may be the stripped cores of massive galaxies during tidal interactions with companion systems. We find no nearby galaxy at the same redshift as the QRS 121102 host from low-resolution Keck spectra or the PanSTARRS catalog. In conclusion, we find no evidence supporting the hypothesis that QRS 121102 is an AGN. We instead argue that the inferred size and flat radio spectrum favor a plerion interpretation. We urge continued broadband radio monitoring of QRS 121102 to search for long-term evolution.more » « less
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ABSTRACT Galaxy clusters accrete mass through large-scale, strong, structure-formation shocks. Such a virial shock is thought to deposit fractions ξe and ξB of the thermal energy in cosmic-ray electrons (CREs) and magnetic fields, respectively, thus generating a leptonic virial ring. However, the expected synchrotron signal was not convincingly established until now. We stack low-frequency radio data from the OVRO-LWA around the 44 most massive, high latitude, extended MCXC clusters, enhancing the ring sensitivity by rescaling clusters to their characteristic, R500 radii. Both high (73 MHz) and co-added low (36–68 MHz) frequency channels separately indicate a significant (4–5σ) excess peaked at (2.4–2.6)R500, coincident with a previously stacked Fermi γ-ray signal interpreted as inverse-Compton emission from virial-shock CREs. The stacked radio signal is well fit (TS-test: 4–6σ at high frequency, 4–8σ at low frequencies, and 8–10σ joint) by virial-shock synchrotron emission from the more massive clusters, with $$\dot{m}\xi _e\xi _B\simeq (1\!-\!4)\times 10^{-4}$$, where $$\dot{m}\equiv \dot{M}/(MH)$$ is the dimensionless accretion rate for a cluster of mass M and a Hubble constant H. The inferred CRE spectral index is flat, p ≃ 2.0 ± 0.2, consistent with acceleration in a strong shock. Assuming equipartition or using $$\dot{m}\xi _e\sim 0.6~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$$ inferred from the Fermi signal yields $$\xi _B\simeq (2\!-\!9)~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$$, corresponding to B ≃ (0.1–0.3) $$\mu$$G magnetic fields downstream of typical virial shocks. Preliminary evidence suggests non-spherical shocks, with factor 2–3 elongations.more » « less
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The electron density of the solar corona is a fundamental parameter in many areas of solar physics. Traditionally, routine estimates of coronal density have relied exclusively on white-light observations. However, these density estimates, obtained by inverting the white-light data, require simplifying assumptions, which may affect the robustness of the measurements. Hence, to improve the reliability of coronal density measurements, it is highly desirable to explore other complementary methods. In this study, we estimate the coronal electron densities in the middle corona, between approximately 1.7 and 3.5R⊙, using low-frequency radio observations from the recently commissioned Long Wavelength Array at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO-LWA). The results demonstrate consistency with those derived from white-light coronagraph data and predictions from theoretical models. We also derive a density model valid between 1.7 and 3.5r⊙, given by , where , withrthe heliocentric distance. OVRO-LWA is a solar-dedicated radio interferometer that provides science-ready images with low latency, making it well suited for generating regular and independent estimates of coronal densities to complement existing white-light techniques.more » « lessFree, publicly-accessible full text available March 6, 2027
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Abstract Decades of solar coronal observations have provided substantial evidence for accelerated particles in the corona. In most cases, the location of particle acceleration can be roughly identified by combining high spatial and temporal resolution data from multiple instruments across a broad frequency range. In almost all cases, these nonthermal particles are associated with quiescent active regions, flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Only recently, some evidence of the existence of nonthermal electrons at locations outside these well-accepted regions has been found. Here, we report for the first time multiple cases of transient nonthermal emissions, in the heliocentric range of ∼3–7R⊙, which do not have any obvious counterparts in other wave bands, like white-light and extreme ultraviolet. These detections were made possible by the regular availability of high dynamic-range low-frequency radio images from the Owens Valley Radio Observatory’s Long Wavelength Array. While earlier detections of nonthermal emissions at these high heliocentric distances often had comparable extensions in the plane of sky, they were primarily associated with radio CMEs, unlike the cases reported here. Thus, these results add on to the evidence that the middle corona is extremely dynamic and contains a population of nonthermal electrons, which is only becoming visible with high dynamic-range low-frequency radio images.more » « lessFree, publicly-accessible full text available December 1, 2026
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HEX-Pis a probe-class mission concept that will combine high spatial resolution X-ray imaging ( FWHM) and broad spectral coverage (0.2–80 keV) with an effective area superior toNuSTARabove 10 keV to enable revolutionary new insights into a variety of astrophysical problems, especially those related to compact objects, accretion and outflows.HEX-Pwill launch at a time when the sky is being routinely scanned for transient gravitational wave, electromagnetic and neutrino phenomena that will require the capabilities of a sensitive, broadband X-ray telescope for follow up studies. These include the merger of compact objects such as neutron stars and black holes, stellar explosions, and the birth of new compact objects. A response time to target of opportunity observation requests of hours and a field of regard of 3πsteradians will allowHEX-Pto probe the accretion and ejecta from these transient phenomena through the study of relativistic outflows and reprocessed emission, provide unique capabilities for understanding jet physics, and potentially revealing the nature of the central engine.more » « less
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Abstract A major challenge in understanding the initiation and evolution of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is measuring the magnetic field of the magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) that drive CMEs. Recent developments in radio imaging spectroscopy have paved the way for diagnosing the CMEs’ magnetic field using gyrosynchrotron radiation. We present magnetic field measurements of a CME associated with an X5-class flare by combining radio imaging spectroscopy data in microwaves (1–18 GHz) and meter waves (20–88 MHz), obtained by the Owens Valley Radio Observatory’s Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array (EOVSA) and Long Wavelength Array (OVRO-LWA), respectively. EOVSA observations reveal that the microwave source, observed in the low corona during the initiation phase of the eruption, outlines the bottom of the rising MFR-hosting CME bubble seen in extreme ultraviolet and expands as the bubble evolves. As the MFR erupts into the middle corona and appears as a white-light CME, its meter-wave counterpart, observed by OVRO-LWA, displays a similar morphology. For the first time, using gyrosynchrotron spectral diagnostics, we obtain magnetic field measurements of the erupting MFR in both the low and middle corona, corresponding to coronal heights of 0.02 and 1.83R⊙. The magnetic field strength is found to be around 300 G at 0.02R⊙during the CME initiation and about 0.6 G near the leading edge of the CME when it propagates to 1.83R⊙. These results provide critical new insights into the magnetic structure of the CME and its evolution during the early stages of its eruption.more » « lessFree, publicly-accessible full text available September 4, 2026
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Abstract Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are a powerful and mysterious new class of transients that are luminous enough to be detected at cosmological distances. By associating FRBs to host galaxies, we can measure intrinsic and environmental properties that test FRB origin models, in addition to using them as precise probes of distant cosmic gas. The Deep Synoptic Array (DSA-110) is a radio interferometer built to maximize the rate at which it can simultaneously detect and localize FRBs. Here, we present the first sample of FRBs and host galaxies discovered by the DSA-110. This sample of 11 FRBs is the largest, most uniform sample of localized FRBs to date, as it is selected based on association with host galaxies identified in optical imaging by Pan-STARRS1. These FRBs have not been observed to repeat, and their radio properties (dispersion, temporal scattering, energy) are similar to that of the known nonrepeating FRB population. Most host galaxies have ongoing star formation, as has been identified before for FRB hosts. Two hosts of the new sample are massive, quiescent galaxies. The distribution of star formation history across this host-galaxy sample shows that the delay time distribution is wide, with a power-law model that spans from ∼100 Myr to ≳2 Gyr. This requires the existence of one or more progenitor formation channels associated with old stellar populations, such as the binary evolution of compact objects.more » « less
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The Owens Valley Radio Observatory Long Wavelength Array is a low radio frequency all-sky imaging radio interferometer. The full 352-element array will generate more than 2 TB of visibility data per hour of observation. One of the array’s primary science cases, the search for variable radio emission from exoplanets and for transients, require fast and high dynamic range interferometric imaging. Here we detail the design and implementation of a two-pipeline infrastructure that minimizes development cost: an offline pipeline that facilitates experimentation with existing pack-ages, and a real-time pipeline that minimizes overhead.more » « less
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