JABAK Pulsar Data Analysis Introduction/Purpose When we arrived in Green bank, we did not know what a pulsar was. Now we know their identifying qualities and how to read pulsar profiles. The purpose of our project was to put what we learned to work in identifying known pulsars, pulsar candidates, and RFI. RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) Things to look for in a RFI: In the prep-fold, there will most likely be a large error bar. There will most likely be no distinct pulses in the prep-fold graph. In the time series graph there should be horizontal lines. In the sub-band there might be dots or horizontal lines. The DM (Dispersion Measure) will probably have no peak or peak near 0. Single Pulse Single pulse pulsar scans are difficult to read. The signal-to-noise graph should have a negative slope. The DM graphs should have peaks above zero: the higher, the better. The time graph has circles: the bigger the circle, the stronger the pulse. The DM of its strongest pulses should agree with the DM of the second and third graphs. Here are three examples: the first of a good pulsar, the second of no activity, and the third of RFI. Authors: Jennifer Maynard, Alice Yu, Brandon Fairburn, Alicia Cadrette, Kyle Srygley Pulsars Known Pulsars Things to look for in a Pulsar: Two distinct pulses in the prep-fold. Two distinct bends in the Time-Series plot that align with the pulses in the prep-fold. On the sub-band, there should be dark lines along the same phase(s) as the Time-Series bend. The DM (Dispersion Measure) should be low at zero and should rise to a peak and back down similar to a bell curve. Using the RA (Right Ascension) and Dec (Declination), search the ATNF and/or EPN catalogue to determine if this is a known pulsar. Conclusion As we applied our learned knowledge to actual pulsar profiles, our knowledge become more concrete. Through the multiple profiles we analyzed, we found about six known pulsars and two possible pulsar candidates. We also found multiple profiles consisting of RFI, noise, and single pulse plots. Acknowledgements The staff of NRAO Rachel Rosen, Sue Ann Heatherly, Duncan Lorimer, Ryan Lynch The teachers and chaperones This graph may be a candidate pulsar because in the prep fold, you can see two distinct, narrow peaks that line up with the signal in the time series graph. Although, you can’t see the first signal in the time series graph, you can see it pretty clearly on the sub band graph. The sub band graph also shows that the signal comes in across all the frequencies. The distance is.989 kpc, which is a reasonable distance for a pulsar. This graph is a possible candidate for a pulsar because it has two distinct narrow peaks and you cane see the signal line up with the peaks in the time series graph, When you look at the sub band plot, you can see that the phases are the same as in the time series plot. There is a small error bar in the prep fold and the distance is kpc which is close enough to be a pulsar. Pulsars are neutron stars that spin rapidly and give off pulses of radiation and radio waves. They spin constantly, and their pulses have consistency Candidate Pulsars