Skip to main content
Announcing GCN Classic Migration Survey, End of Legacy Circulars Email. See news and announcements

GCN Circular 8130

Subject
Radio Detection of SGR 0501+4516
Date
2008-08-25T14:25:40Z (16 years ago)
From
Shri Kulkarni at Caltech <srk@astro.caltech.edu>
S. R. Kulkarni and D. A. Frail report:
We undertook VLA observations of SGR 0501+4516 (GCN 8113)
on 2008 August 24 (starting at 0928 UT, 30 min duration) and
2008 August 25 (starting at 1054 UT, 1 hour duration) in the
8-GHz and 1.4 GHz bands.

No source was detected in the first epoch in the 8-GHz band
(75 microJy rms), consistent with the lack of detection
by WSRT (GCN 8125)  on 2008 August 23 (03.66 to 09.49 UT).

A very strong source is seen in the second epoch:
	3 +/- 0.1 mJy (8.46 GHz)
        14 +/- 0.8 mJy (1.43 GHz)
The spectral index is -1 between these two frequencies.

One may conclude that SGR 0501+4516 is waking up from
hibernation. Radio observations at other frequencies are
strongly encouraged (to constrain the spectrum). Searches
for radio pulsations can be expected to be highly productive.
Finally, should the source remain radio bright, proper motion
measurements via VLBI become feasible.
Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov