Enabling multi-messenger astrophysics with LIGO

Chad Hanna (Penn State)

November 20, 2017

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Abstract: Gravitational waves allow us to probe the interactions of compact objects in a way that was never before possible. While gravitational wave observations alone provide deep insights into our universe, combining gravitational wave observations with electromagnetic observations provides insight that is far greater than the sum of its parts. In order to enable multi-messenger astronomy, advanced LIGO has teamed up with over 70 electromagnetic and neutrino observing teams to follow-up gravitational wave candidates. This partnership paid off in August 2017 with the first multi-messenger detection of a binary neutron star merger. In this seminar, I will describe some of the history that led to this watershed moment and offer my vision of the future.