Rapid Response Triggering for Radio Transients with the SKA Observatory

Abstract

Rapid-response triggering is when a telescope is able to automatically respond to an external or internal astronomical transient alert, causing it to rapidly repoint at that position in the sky to catch its earliest radio emission. Both SKA-Low and SKA-Mid will have the ability to perform rapid-response triggering observations on externally detected transients as well as those detected within the data streams. We first give a brief overview of those radio instruments with active rapid-response observing modes. We then describe the different science cases motivating the need for this observing capability on SKAO and how the additional sensitivity afforded by the SKAO will enable us to answer fundamental questions relating to particle acceleration, transient central engines, coherent emission models and outflow physics in astrophysical systems spanning the range from the Sun to the high redshift Universe. Several suggestions relating to existing technologies and necessary SKAO system requirements are described. Through this chapter, we aim to ensure this is an existing, common and useful capability for the SKA Observatory.