The pulsar population: revealing the extreme physics of neutron stars at the intersection of statistics, citizen science and machine-learning
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Faculty of Engineering & the Environment
Abstract
How do pulsars form, evolve and behave? And how can we apply this to use them as precision tools to probe fundamental laws of physics and the invisible structures of the universe? These are the two key questions propelling my research. I am leading projects applying statistical physics to understand pulsar radio emission and map the structures of the interstellar medium (ISM), using the most sensitive radio telescopes in the world. Pulsars provide a key observational link to magnetars, X-ray binaries, and the unknown origins of Fast Radio Bursts: by understanding pulsars, we have important insight into a world of extreme and transient astrophysics.
I will address the following objectives to achieve my research vision. I will investigate how pulsar radio emission evolves over its lifetime, using large-scale surveys with state-of-the-art radio telescopes to monitor the pulsar population over time, and make precision ISM measurements. I will apply machine-learning to identify correlations in polarization behaviour across the pulsar population, and develop a citizen science programme to classify vast observational datasets, building a connected picture of how pulsars evolve. Modern radio telescopes are generating ever-increasing volumes of data. My research is designed to derive the greatest benefit from this, by developing statistical techniques to understand the pulsar population and link this to neutron star theory.
Through my international collaborative projects to study pulsars with the MeerKAT and Parkes telescopes, I have the experience required to achieve these objectives. I will apply my expertise in pulsar polarization, ISM measurements and analysis of large datasets to study the statistics of the pulsar population. By developing a machine-learning toolkit, and a citizen science project, for classifying pulsar polarization behaviour, I will publish the first full statistical model of the three-dimensional pulsar radio beam, and characterize how its behaviour evolves across the pulsar population. I will also create a catalogue of precision measurements of the ISM and use them to produce an updated map of the magnetic field of the Milky Way. Throughout, I will promote public engagement with science, both through citizen science, and through a school-focused outreach programme.
My research is at the centre of a unique moment in pulsar astronomy: the Square Kilometre Array telescopes (SKA) are predicted to find every observable pulsar in the galaxy, opening up a new era of discovery. With extreme densities, intense magnetic fields and bright coherent radio emission, pulsars probe almost every branch of physics. Pulsars are tools for revealing galactic structure, testing the nature of gravity and searching for gravitational waves. We need to characterize the currently unexplained variability of pulsar radio emission to make progress with these important applications, and maximise the science achievable with the SKA. My results will form the scientific framework for the origins of pulsar radio emission, paving the way for using future SKA discoveries to test the laws of physics.
My proposed research is designed to capitalise on modern computational and telescope technology to build a full statistical picture of the pulsar population. My work will advance the EPSRC strategic delivery goals of realising the benefits of AI, and improving society through engagement with science. I have the expertise, collaborative networks and technological capabilities to successfully address my research objectives: my research will ensure a significant advance in pulsar and transient science in the modern era of time-domain astronomy.
I will address the following objectives to achieve my research vision. I will investigate how pulsar radio emission evolves over its lifetime, using large-scale surveys with state-of-the-art radio telescopes to monitor the pulsar population over time, and make precision ISM measurements. I will apply machine-learning to identify correlations in polarization behaviour across the pulsar population, and develop a citizen science programme to classify vast observational datasets, building a connected picture of how pulsars evolve. Modern radio telescopes are generating ever-increasing volumes of data. My research is designed to derive the greatest benefit from this, by developing statistical techniques to understand the pulsar population and link this to neutron star theory.
Through my international collaborative projects to study pulsars with the MeerKAT and Parkes telescopes, I have the experience required to achieve these objectives. I will apply my expertise in pulsar polarization, ISM measurements and analysis of large datasets to study the statistics of the pulsar population. By developing a machine-learning toolkit, and a citizen science project, for classifying pulsar polarization behaviour, I will publish the first full statistical model of the three-dimensional pulsar radio beam, and characterize how its behaviour evolves across the pulsar population. I will also create a catalogue of precision measurements of the ISM and use them to produce an updated map of the magnetic field of the Milky Way. Throughout, I will promote public engagement with science, both through citizen science, and through a school-focused outreach programme.
My research is at the centre of a unique moment in pulsar astronomy: the Square Kilometre Array telescopes (SKA) are predicted to find every observable pulsar in the galaxy, opening up a new era of discovery. With extreme densities, intense magnetic fields and bright coherent radio emission, pulsars probe almost every branch of physics. Pulsars are tools for revealing galactic structure, testing the nature of gravity and searching for gravitational waves. We need to characterize the currently unexplained variability of pulsar radio emission to make progress with these important applications, and maximise the science achievable with the SKA. My results will form the scientific framework for the origins of pulsar radio emission, paving the way for using future SKA discoveries to test the laws of physics.
My proposed research is designed to capitalise on modern computational and telescope technology to build a full statistical picture of the pulsar population. My work will advance the EPSRC strategic delivery goals of realising the benefits of AI, and improving society through engagement with science. I have the expertise, collaborative networks and technological capabilities to successfully address my research objectives: my research will ensure a significant advance in pulsar and transient science in the modern era of time-domain astronomy.
