Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-02101

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Science with a Large Field-of-view Polarization Survey: The Large Array Survey Telescope Polarization Node (LAST-P)

Barbosa Martins, V. (Corresponding author)DESY* ; Jordana Mitjans, N. ; Garrappa, S. ; Franckowiak, A.DESY* ; Ofek, E. O. ; Ben-Ami, S. ; Borowska-Naguszewska, J.DESY* ; Fallah Ramazani, V. ; Konno, R. ; Kuesters, D.DESY* ; Parsons, R. D.Extern* ; Polishook, D. ; Sadeh, I.DESY* ; Savushkin, O. ; Segre, E. ; Strotjohann, N. ; Weimann, S.

2026
Univ. of Chicago Press, Journals Division Chicago, Ill.

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1088/1538-3873/ae33f3  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-02101

Abstract: Optical polarimetry provides information on the geometry of the emitting region, the magnetic field configuration and the properties of dust in astrophysical sources. Current state-of-the-art instruments typically have a small field of view (FoV), which poses a challenge for conducting wide surveys. We propose the construction of the Large Array Survey Telescope Polarization Node (LAST-P), a wide-field array of optical polarimeters. LAST-P is designed for high-cadence (≲1 day) polarization monitoring of numerous astrophysical transients, such as the early phases of gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and novae. Furthermore, LAST-P will facilitate the creation of extensive polarization catalogs for X-ray binaries and white dwarfs, alongside a large FoV study of the interstellar medium. In survey mode, LAST-P will cover a FoV of 88.8 deg2. With a 15 ×1 minutes exposure, the instrument will be capable of measuring polarization of sources as faint as Gaia Bp-magnitude ∼20.9. The precision on the linear polarization degree will reach 0.7%, 1.5%, and 3.5% for sources with magnitudes 17, 18, and 19, respectively, for a seeing of 27, air mass of about 1 for observations in dark locations. We propose three distinct non-simultaneous survey strategies, among them an active galactic nuclei (AGN) strategy for long-term monitoring of ∼200 AGN with <1 day cadence. In this paper, we present the predicted sensitivity of the instrument and outline the various science cases it is designed to explore.

Note: cc-by

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Neutrinoastronomie / Kosmologie (Z_NA)
2. Gammaastronomie (Z_GA)

Research Program(s):

1. 613 - Matter and Radiation from the Universe (POF4-613) (POF4-613)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)445052434 - SFB 1491: Das Wechselspiel der kosmischen Materie - von der Quelle bis zum Signal (445052434) (445052434)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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