Stefano Giarratana

We present the discovery of the radio afterglow of the most distant ultralong gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected to date, GRB 220627A at redshift z = 3.084. Its prompt gamma-ray light curve shows a double-pulse profile, with the pulses separated by a period of quiescence lasting ∼15 minutes, leading to early speculation it could be a strongly gravitationally lensed GRB. However, our analysis of the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor spectra taken during the time intervals of both pulses show clear differences in their spectral energy distributions, disfavouring the lensing scenario. We observed the radio afterglow from 7 to 456 days postburst: an initial, steep decay ( F _ν ∝ t ⁻² ) is followed by a shallower decline ( F _ν ∝ t ^−1/2 ) after ∼20 days. There are three scenarios that could explain these radio properties: (i) energy injection from an additional, slower ejecta component catching up to the external shock; (ii) a stratified density profile going as n ∝ r ^−8/3 ; or alternatively, (iii) the presence of a slow, wide ejecta component in addition to a fast, narrow ejecta component. We also conducted an independent test of the lensing hypothesis via very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations at ∼12 days postburst by searching, for the first time, for multiple images of the candidate lensed GRB afterglow. Our experiment highlighted the growing need for developments in real-time correlation capabilities for time-critical VLBI experiments, particularly as we advance towards the SKA and ngVLA era of radio astronomy.

We present the most extensive high-time resolution multi-band campaign to date on the candidate transitional millisecond pulsar (tMSP) 3FGL J1544.6−1125 in the enigmatic sub-luminous disk state with coordinated observations from the radio to the X-ray band. While XMM-Newton and NuSTAR X-ray light curves exhibit the characteristic high and low-mode bimodality, the source’s faintness prevents firm evidence from being obtained for similar bimodality in the ultraviolet and near-infrared light curves, which are presented here for the first time. A re-analysis of archival XMM-Newton/OM data revealed an optical flare without an X-ray counterpart, likely originating from the outer accretion disk or the companion star. During our observations, no radio emission was detected, with a 3σ flux density upper limit of ∼8 μJy at 6 GHz. While past works already reported radio variability in the source, this limit is a factor of ≳3.5 below the average value measured in 2019 under similar conditions, underscoring significant radio variability despite the relatively stable X-ray flux. Simultaneous optical light curves in five filters obtained with GTC/HiPERCAM revealed flickering and dipping activities that resemble the observed X-ray variability along with a reddening trend at lower fluxes. The latter is consistent with discrete mass ejections that disrupt the inner flow and reduce both X-ray and optical fluxes, thereby driving the high-to-low-mode switches. The observed reddening suggests a common origin for most optical and X-ray emission at the boundary region between the pulsar wind and the inner disk, as also supported by our modeling of the spectral energy distribution in the high mode. Overall, our findings reinforce the mini-pulsar nebula picture for tMSPs in the sub-luminous state and demonstrate how coordinated high-time resolution multi-wavelength campaigns are essential to understanding the physical processes governing rapid mode switches in these systems.

Transitional millisecond pulsars (tMSPs) bridge the evolutionary gap between accreting neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries and millisecond radio pulsars. These systems exhibit a unique subluminous X-ray state characterized by the presence of an accretion disk and rapid switches between high and low X-ray emission modes. The high mode features coherent millisecond pulsations spanning from the X-ray to the optical band. We present multiwavelength polarimetric observations of the tMSP PSR J1023+0038 aimed at conclusively identifying the physical mechanism powering its emission in the subluminous X-ray state. During the high mode, we report a probable detection of polarized emission in the 2–6 keV energy range, with a polarization degree of (12 ± 3)% and a polarization angle of −2^∘ ± 9^∘measured counterclockwise from the north celestial pole toward the east (99.7% confidence level, c.l.; uncertainties are quoted at 1σ). At optical wavelengths, we find a polarization degree of (1.41 ± 0.04)% and a polarization angle aligned with that in the X-rays, suggesting a common physical mechanism operating across these bands. Remarkably, the polarized flux spectrum matches the pulsed emission spectrum from optical to X-rays. The polarization properties differ markedly from those observed in other accreting neutron stars and isolated rotation-powered pulsars and are also inconsistent with an origin in a compact jet. Our results provide direct evidence that the polarized and pulsed emissions both originate from synchrotron radiation at the boundary region formed where the pulsar wind interacts with the inner regions of the accretion disk.

We present the most extensive high-time resolution multi-band campaign to date on the candidate transitional millisecond pulsar (tMSP) 3FGL J1544.6-1125 in the sub-luminous disk state, with coordinated observations from the radio to the X-ray band. While XMM-Newton and NuSTAR X-ray light curves exhibit the characteristic high- and low-mode bimodality, the source faintness prevents firm evidence for similar bimodality in the ultraviolet and near-infrared light curves, presented here for the first time. A re-analysis of archival XMM-Newton/OM data reveals an optical flare without an X-ray counterpart, likely originating from the outer accretion disk or the companion star. During our observations, no radio emission was detected, with a 3$σ$ flux density upper limit of 8 $μ$Jy at 6 GHz. While past works have already reported radio variability in the source, this limit is a factor of 3.5 below the average value measured in 2019 in similar conditions, underscoring significant radio variability despite the relatively stable X-ray flux. Simultaneous optical light curves in five filters with GTC/HiPERCAM revealed flickering and dipping activities that resemble the observed X-ray variability, along with a reddening trend at lower fluxes. The latter is consistent with discrete mass ejections that disrupt the inner flow and reduce both X-ray and optical fluxes, thereby driving the high-to-low-mode switches. This suggests a common origin for most optical and X-ray emission at the boundary region between the pulsar wind and the inner disk, as also supported by our modelling of the spectral energy distribution in the high mode. Overall, our findings reinforce the mini-pulsar nebula picture for tMSPs in the sub-luminous state and demonstrate how coordinated, high-time resolution, multi-wavelength campaigns are essential to probe the processes governing rapid mode switches in these systems.

Context. The detection and follow-up observations of high-redshift (z > 6) gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) provide a unique opportunity to explore the properties of the distant Universe. Unfortunately, they are rather rare, with only a dozen of them identified so far. Aims. We present here the discovery of the GRB with the second highest spectroscopic redshift measured to date, GRB 240218A at z = 6.782, and the broadband analysis of its afterglow. Following the detection by high-energy satellites, we obtained multi-epoch and multi-wavelength photometric follow-up observations, from 68 s to ∼48 d after the detection. These data allow us to perform a comprehensive study of the emission and physical properties of this event. We also compare these properties with GRBs observed at high and low redshift. Methods. We built the X-ray, near-infrared, and radio light curves and studied their temporal evolution. Moreover, we investigated the spectral energy distribution (SED) at different times to trace possible spectral evolution. We also compared the prompt phase properties, X-ray luminosity, and optical extinction of GRB 240218A with those of the long-duration GRB (LGRB) population. Results. The SED analysis reveals a typical afterglow-like behaviour at late times. The origin of the early-time emission is uncertain, with the probable presence of an additional contribution on top of the afterglow emission. From the broadband physical modelling of the afterglow, we identify a narrow Gaussian jet seen slightly off-axis, θ_v = 2.52_−0.29^+0.57 deg, and pinpoint the presence of a possible jet break ∼0.86 d after the trigger. Conclusions. The results of the analysis and the comparison with other high-z GRBs reveal that we can consider GRB 240218A as a ‘standard’ high-redshift LGRB: the prompt phase properties, the X-ray luminosity, and the optical extinction are consistent with the values derived for the LGRB population. The jet opening angle is narrower but compatible with those of high-z bursts, possibly pointing to more collimated jets at high redshift.

We present a comprehensive study of the flaring mode of the transitional millisecond pulsar (tMSP) PSR J1023+0038 during its X-ray sub-luminous state, using strictly simultaneous X-ray, UV, optical, and radio observations. The X-ray flares exhibit UV and optical counterparts and coincide with the brightest radio flare observed in the past decade, reaching 1.2,mJy at 6,GHz and lasting ∼1,hour. During the flare, the optical polarisation drops from ≃1.4% to ≃0.5%, indicating the emergence of an unpolarised component. We propose that the thickening of the disc, which enlarges the shock region between the pulsar wind and the accretion flow and may drive the X-ray flaring observed in tMSPs, enhances the ionisation level of the disc, thereby generating an increased number of free electrons. These electrons could then be channelled by magnetic field lines into the jet. This increased jet mass-loading could drive the associated radio and optical variability. The radio spectral evolution during flares is consistent with synchrotron self-absorption in jet ejecta or internal shocks within the compact jet. We infer radio polarisation upper limits ($<$8.7%, $<$2.3%, and $<$8.2%, before, during, and after the radio flare) that further support a compact jet origin but do not rule out discrete ejections. Our findings suggest that tMSPs could serve as essential laboratories for investigating jet-launching mechanisms, mainly because they operate under very low mass accretion rates. This accretion regime has not been explored before in the context of accretion-ejection coupling.

Context. Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are energetic, millisecond-duration radio pulses observed at extragalactic distances and whose origins are still a subject of heated debate. A fraction of the FRB population have shown repeating bursts, however it’s still unclear whether these represent a distinct class of sources. Aims. We investigated the bursting behaviour of FRB 20220912A, one of the most active repeating FRBs known thus far. In particular, we focused on its burst energy distribution, linked to the source energetics, and its emission spectrum, with the latter directly related to the underlying emission mechanism. Methods. We monitored FRB 20220912A at 408 MHz with the Northern Cross radio telescope and at 1.4 GHz using the 32-m Medicina Grueff radio telescope. Additionally, we conducted 1.2 GHz observations taken with the upgraded Giant Meter Wave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) searching for a persistent radio source coincident with FRB 20220912A, and included high energy observations in the 0.3–10 keV, 0.4–100 MeV and 0.03–30 GeV energy range. Results. We report 16 new bursts from FRB 20220912A at 408 MHz during the period between October 16^th 2022 and December 31^st 2023. Their cumulative spectral energy distribution follows a power law with slope α_E = −1.3 ± 0.2 and we measured a repetition rate of 0.19 ± 0.03 hr⁻¹ for bursts having a fluence of ℱ ≥ 17 Jy ms. Furthermore, we report no detections at 1.4 GHz for ℱ ≥ 20 Jy ms. These non-detections imply an upper limit of β < −2.3, with β being the 408 MHz – 1.4 GHz spectral index of FRB 20220912A. This is inconsistent with positive β values found for the only two known cases in which an FRB has been detected in separate spectral bands. We find that FRB 20220912A shows a decline of four orders of magnitude in its bursting activity at 1.4 GHz over a timescale of one year, while remaining active at 408 MHz. The cumulative spectral energy distribution (SED) shows a flattening for spectral energy E_ν ≥ 10³¹ erg Hz⁻¹, a feature seen thus far in only two hyperactive repeaters. In particular, we highlight a strong similarity between FRB 20220912A and FRB 20201124A, with respect to both the energy and repetition rate ranges. We also find a radio continuum source with 240 ± 36 μJy flux density at 1.2 GHz, centered on the FRB 20220912A coordinates. Finally, we place an upper limit on the γ to radio burst efficiency η to be η < 1.5 × 10⁹ at 99.7% confidence level, in the 0.4–30 MeV energy range. Conclusions. The strong similarity between the cumulative energy distributions of FRB 20220912A and FRB 20201124A indicate that bursts from these sources are generated via similar emission mechanisms. Our upper limit on β suggests that the spectrum of FRB 20220912A is intrinsically narrow-band. The radio continuum source detected at 1.2 GHz is likely due to a star formation environment surrounding the FRB, given the absence of a source compact on millisecond scales brighter than 48 μJy beam⁻¹. Finally, the upper limit on the ratio between the γ and radio burst fluence disfavours a giant flare origin for the radio bursts unlike observed for the Galactic magnetar SGR 1806-20.

We observed γ-ray burst (GRB) 221009A using very long baseline interferomety (VLBI) with the European VLBI Network (EVN) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), over a period spanning from 40 to 262 days after the initial GRB. The high angular resolution (mas) of our observations allowed us, for the second time ever, after GRB 030329, to measure the projected size, s, of the relativistic shock caused by the expansion of the GRB ejecta into the surrounding medium. Our observations support the expansion of the shock with a > 4σ-equivalent significance, and confirm its relativistic nature by revealing an apparently superluminal expansion rate. Fitting a power law expansion model, s ∝ t^a, to the observed size evolution, we find a slope a = 0.69_−0.14^+0.13. Fitting the data at each frequency separately, we find different expansion rates, pointing to a frequency-dependent behaviour. We show that the observed size evolution can be reconciled with a reverse shock plus forward shock, provided that the two shocks dominate the emission at different frequencies and, possibly, at different times.

Transitional millisecond pulsars are an emerging class of sources that link low-mass X-ray binaries to millisecond radio pulsars in binary systems. These pulsars alternate between a radio pulsar state and an active low-luminosity X-ray disc state. During the active state, these sources exhibit two distinct emission modes (high and low) that alternate unpredictably, abruptly, and incessantly. X-ray to optical pulsations are observed only during the high mode. The root cause of this puzzling behaviour remains elusive. This paper presents the results of the most extensive multi-wavelength campaign ever conducted on the transitional pulsar prototype, PSR J1023+0038, covering from the radio to X-rays. The campaign was carried out over two nights in June 2021 and involved 12 different telescopes and instruments, including XMM-Newton, HST, VLT/FORS2 (in polarimetric mode), ALMA, VLA, and FAST. By modelling the broadband spectral energy distributions in both emission modes, we show that the mode switches are caused by changes in the innermost region of the accretion disc. These changes trigger the emission of discrete mass ejections, which occur on top of a compact jet, as testified by the detection of at least one short-duration millimetre flare with ALMA at the high-to-low mode switch. The pulsar is subsequently re-enshrouded, completing our picture of the mode switches.