Commensal image plane transient search methods with the SKAO

Alex Andersson; Dougal Dobbie; Natasha Hurley-Walker; Hao Qiu; Kaustubh Rajwade; Antonia Rowlinson; Iris de Ruiter; Fabian Schüssler; Oleg M. Smirnov; Ben Stappers

Commensal image plane transient search methods with the SKAO

Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics 2026-07-06 v1

Authors: Alex Andersson , Dougal Dobbie , Natasha Hurley-Walker , Hao Qiu , Kaustubh Rajwade , Antonia Rowlinson , Iris de Ruiter , Fabian Schüssler , Oleg M. Smirnov , Ben Stappers

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Abstract

This chapter outlines the key, state of the art, techniques required to conduct commensal image plane transient searches. Using significant experience and expertise from conducting transient searches with the SKA pathfinders, we have developed efficient fast imaging strategies, automated transient detection pipelines, determined careful filtering techniques to avoid artifacts, and identified the most useful triggered reprocessing tools. Using these strategies, we will be ideally placed to optimally and reliably detect transient sources from commensal image plane transient surveys. The tools and methods presented in this chapter can be used for all SKA-Mid and SKA-Low array deployments from AA* inclusive.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2607.05118,
  title  = {Commensal image plane transient search methods with the SKAO},
  author = {Alex Andersson and Dougal Dobbie and Natasha Hurley-Walker and Hao Qiu and Kaustubh Rajwade and Antonia Rowlinson and Iris de Ruiter and Fabian Schüssler and Oleg M. Smirnov and Ben Stappers},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2607.05118},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

Published in Advancing Astrophysics with the SKA II (AASKAII), 2026, (arXiv:2606.20366). Report-no:AASKAII/AlexAndersson01 Advancing Astrophysics with the SKA II (AASKAII) outlines the transformative scientific advances that will be enabled by the SKA telescopes