Multimessenger astrophysics with numerical relativity

David Radice (Princeton)

January 18, 2018

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Abstract: How are neutron stars formed and what is inside them? What is the engine powering short gamma-ray bursts? What is the astrophysical site of production of heavy elements? Multimessenger observations of compact binary coalescence and core-collapse supernovae might provide us with the key to answering these and other important open questions in theoretical astrophysics. However, multimessenger astronomy also poses new challenges to the theorists who need to develop models for the joint interpretation of all data channels. In this talk, I will review the recent landmark multimessenger observation of merging neutron stars and I will show their interpretation in the light of results from first- principles simulations. Finally, I will discuss future challenges and prospects for this nascent field.