A 50–250 MHz Pulsar Census with an SKA-Low Prototype Station: Spectra and Polarization

Abstract Low-frequency pulsar observations are crucial for understanding pulsar emission spectra and population physics, as well as for probing the interstellar medium (ISM) and Earth’s ionosphere. We report the largest low-frequency pulsar census conducted in the Southern Hemisphere, covering 50–250 MHz, using the EDA2, an SKA-Low prototype station. In this survey, we detected 120 pulsars, including 23 first-time detections below 150 MHz and 5 below 100 MHz. For each source, we provide integrated pulse profiles and flux-density measurements across five subbands spanning 50–250 MHz. We also obtained improved dispersion measure (DM) values for 110 pulsars, with a median absolute DM correction of about 0.1 pc cm −3 . We measured significant Faraday rotation for 40 pulsars with improved rotation measure (RM) values for four pulsars, as well as phase-resolved RM variation in J1453-6413. Full-polarimetric pulse profiles are provided for all these pulsars, with multifrequency polarimetric data for 20 of them. These results will enhance future SKA-Low science: refining pulsar population models, informing survey strategies, and advancing characterization of both the ISM and the ionosphere through low-frequency pulsar monitoring.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Published
2026-03-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4365/ae4744
Primary Topic
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A 50–250 MHz Pulsar Census with an SKA-Low Prototype Station: Spectra and Polarization

Pramod Kumar, Randall Wayth, Marcin Sokolowski
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
article

A 50–250 MHz Pulsar Census with an SKA-Low Prototype Station: Spectra and Polarization

Pramod Kumar, Randall Wayth, Marcin Sokolowski
article en

Abstract

Abstract Low-frequency pulsar observations are crucial for understanding pulsar emission spectra and population physics, as well as for probing the interstellar medium (ISM) and Earth’s ionosphere. We report the largest low-frequency pulsar census conducted in the Southern Hemisphere, covering 50–250 MHz, using the EDA2, an SKA-Low prototype station. In this survey, we detected 120 pulsars, including 23 first-time detections below 150 MHz and 5 below 100 MHz. For each source, we provide integrated pulse profiles and flux-density measurements across five subbands spanning 50–250 MHz. We also obtained improved dispersion measure (DM) values for 110 pulsars, with a median absolute DM correction of about 0.1 pc cm −3 . We measured significant Faraday rotation for 40 pulsars with improved rotation measure (RM) values for four pulsars, as well as phase-resolved RM variation in J1453-6413. Full-polarimetric pulse profiles are provided for all these pulsars, with multifrequency polarimetric data for 20 of them. These results will enhance future SKA-Low science: refining pulsar population models, informing survey strategies, and advancing characterization of both the ISM and the ionosphere through low-frequency pulsar monitoring.

The Astrophysical Journal Supplement SeriesVol. 283(2)
Curtin University (AU), Australian Resources Research Centre (AU), International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (AU)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

A 50–250 MHz Pulsar Census with an SKA-Low Prototype Station: Spectra and Polarization — Pramod Kumar, Randall Wayth, et al. · The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS