Real-time searches for fast transients with Apertif and LOFAR

Understand

With the installation of a new phased array system called Apertif, the instantaneous field of view of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) has increased to 8.7$\,$deg$^2$.

• This system has turned the WSRT in to an highly effective telescope to conduct Fast Radio Burst (FRB) and pulsar surveys.
• To exploit this advantage, an advanced and real-time backend, called the Apertif Radio Transient System (ARTS), is being developed and commissioned at the WSRT.
• In addition to the real-time detection of FRBs, ARTS will localize the events to about 1/2600 of the field of view --- essential information for identifying the nature of FRBs.