Master Thesis Defense by Flemming Daniel Fischer
Title: Fast transient detection
Abstract: Gamma-ray bursts are transient events and some of the most luminous events known. A gamma-ray burst consists of a prompt emission that only lasts minutes and a longer fading afterglow. As the prompt emission is gone after a few minutes after the event occurs, fast and robust tools are important in the pursuit to get useful data on the prompt emissions of gamma-ray burst.
In this project, the tool PyNOT will be tested thoroughly for the purpose of identifying gamma-ray burst events at their early stages at the Nordic Optical Telescope at La Palma. PyNOT will be tested on imaging data from different gamma-ray burst events with the purpose of exposing PyNOTs strengths and weaknesses. Further, this project will investigate, develop and test methods not already exploited by PyNOT with the intention of implementing them in PyNOT for even more robust transient identification in images. Moreover, it will be bared in mind that the Nordic Optical Transient Explorer in the near future will be up and running. Thus, making PyNOT more versatile for other instruments is investigated as well.
A conclusion of PyNOTs current capabilities will be made as well as recommendations for further development on PyNOT with the intention to use PyNOT for fast transient detection on the Nordic Optical Telescope will be elaborated.
Supervisor:
- Johan Fynbo, University of Copenhagen, Niels Bohr Insitute
Censor:
- Frank Grundahl, Aarhus University