MeerLICHT Transients: Search for Historical Transients in the LMC and SMC

Project Description:

The study of time-domain astronomy has entered a transformative era with wide-field optical surveys such as MeerLICHT, which provide high-cadence, deep imaging of the southern sky. These surveys enable the discovery and characterisation of transient and variable sources across a wide range of astrophysical phenomena, including novae, dwarf novae, supernovae, flare stars, and other eruptive systems. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC) are nearby satellite galaxies of the Milky Way, located at distances of∼50–60 kpc. Their proximity, low extinction, and well-constrained distances make them ideal laboratories for studying transient populations in an extragalactic envi- ronment. Unlike Galactic studies, where distance uncertainties can be significant, transients in the Magellanic Clouds allow for accurate luminosity measurements and population studies. MeerLICHT has accumulated several years of archival observations of the LMC and SMC. Now, with the recent reprocessing of archival data using the newest version of BlackBOX/ZOGY, we are presented with a unique opportunity to search for historical transient events that were not identified in real time but are recoverable through retrospective analysis. Such searches may uncover missed novae, dwarf nova outbursts, long-timescale variables, and rare transient phenomena, contributing to a more complete census of transient populations. In this project, the student will perform a systematic search for historical transient events in the LMC and SMC using archival MeerLICHT data. This will involve accessing and working with MeerLICHT imaging data and/or light curve products, and identifying transient candidates through variability analysis and/or image differencing techniques. The student will construct and analyse light curves of candidate sources, cross-match these candidates with existing catalogues (e.g. Gaia, SIMBAD, and TNS), and classify the transients based on their photometric behaviour. Where possible, identified transients will also be cross-correlated with archival MeerKAT radio data to investigate potential radio counterparts.

Research Area:

Astronomy

Project Level:

Honours

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(UCT)