The IceCube realtime alert system

• Published in: Astroparticle Physics
• Main Authors: Aartsen MG, Ackermann M, Adams J, Aguilar JA, Ahlers M, Ahrens M, Altmann D, Andeen K, Anderson T, Ansseau I, Anton G, Archinger M, Argüelles C, Auffenberg J, Axani S, Bai X, Barwick SW, Baum V, Bay R, Beatty JJ, Becker Tjus J, Becker KH, BenZvi S, Berley D, Bernardini E, Bernhard A, Besson DZ, Binder G, Bindig D, Bissok M, Blaufuss E, Blot S, Bohm C, Börner M, Bos F, Bose D, Böser S, Botner O, Braun J, Brayeur L, Bretz HP, Bron S, Burgman A, Carver T, Casier M, Cheung E, Chirkin D, Christov A, Clark K, Classen L
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: astro-ph.HE; astro-ph.IM; Neutrino astronomy; Neutrino detectors; Transient sources; Multi-messenger astronomy; Field of Research::02 - Physical Sciences::0201 - Astronomical and Space Sciences::020106 - High Energy Astrophysics; Cosmic Rays; South Pole; Antarc*; Antarctica; South pole
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/14596; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2017.05.002

Although high-energy astrophysical neutrinos were discovered in 2013, their origin is still unknown. Aiming for the identification of an electromagnetic counterpart of a rapidly fading source, we have implemented a realtime analysis framework for the IceCube neutrino observatory. Several analyses selecting neutrinos of astrophysical origin are now operating in realtime at the detector site in Antarctica and are producing alerts for the community to enable rapid follow-up observations. The goal of these observations is to locate the astrophysical objects responsible for these neutrino signals. This paper highlights the infrastructure in place both at the South Pole site and at IceCube facilities in the north that have enabled this fast follow-up program to be implemented. Additionally, this paper presents the first realtime analyses to be activated within this framework, highlights their sensitivities to astrophysical neutrinos and background event rates, and presents an outlook for future discoveries.