Colloquium on Jun. 18, 2025

Statistical Clues to the Mysteries of Fast Radio Bursts

Speaker: Shotaro Yamasaki (National Chung Hsing University)

Venue: SWIFAR Building 2111

Time: 16:00 PM, Wednesday, Jun. 18, 2025

Abstract:

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are one of the most intriguing recent discoveries in astrophysics—brief, brightest flashes of radio waves coming from far beyond our galaxy. Their origins remain a mystery, but thanks to large observational efforts, we now have data on about 1,000 FRB sources in total and over 10,000 bursts from several highly active repeaters. This growing dataset opens the door to statistical studies that can reveal the nature of FRBs. One key question is whether all FRBs originate from repeating sources—an answer that would have major implications for their physical origins, such as neutron stars, black holes, or more exotic systems. In this talk, I will present a unique statistical method to estimate the fraction of repeating sources based on how FRB detections evolve over time, using data from the largest FRB survey to date. If time allows, I will also touch on another statistical approach that uncovers hidden correlations in the burst time series of active repeaters. These statistical methods offer new insights into the origins, emission mechanisms, and environments of FRBs.