Prospects for observing spider pulsar systems with CTAO

• Grant number: 25/05690-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: November 03, 2025
• End date: November 02, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy
• Principal Investigator: Edivaldo Moura Santos
• Grantee: Lívia Silva Rocha
• Supervisor: Bruno Khelifi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université Paris Cité, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/08649-8 - Powerful sources of cosmic particles II, BP.PD

Abstract

Spider pulsar systems, a class of millisecond pulsar binaries, are promising but underexplored candidates for very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission. The Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) will provide unprecedented sensitivity to gamma-ray astronomy and will possibly detect these objects, enabling the study of their particle acceleration mechanisms and intrabinary shocks. This research internship at the Astroparticles and Cosmology Laboratory (APC) of Université Paris Cité, under the supervision of Dr. Bruno Khélifi, aims to refine the analysis of these systems by incorporating advanced statistical techniques, optimizing detection strategies, and leveraging real data from current Cherenkov telescopes such as H.E.S.S., MAGIC, and LST-1. The project will also contribute to the development of an observation proposal for the original black widow system, PSR B1957+20. Through collaboration with APC researchers, this internship will enhance the methodologies used in gamma-ray astrophysics and strengthen international research ties in preparation for CTAO's scientific operations.