scholarly journals Towards Improving the Prospects for Coordinated Gravitational-Wave and Electromagnetic Observations

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (S285) ◽  
pp. 358-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilya Mandel ◽  
Luke Z. Kelley ◽  
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Prior Information ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Optimal Parameter ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
Quantitative Estimates ◽  
Optimal Parameter Estimation ◽  
Parameter Estimation Techniques

AbstractWe discuss two approaches to searches for gravitational-wave (GW) and electromagnetic (EM) counterparts of binary neutron-star mergers. The first approach relies on triggering archival searches of GW detector data based on detections of EM transients. Quantitative estimates of the improvement to GW detector reach due to the increased confidence in the presence and parameters of a signal from a binary merger gained from the EM transient suggest utilizing other transients in addition to short gamma-ray bursts. The second approach involves following up GW candidates with targeted EM observations. We argue for the use of slower but optimal parameter-estimation techniques and for a more sophisticated use of astrophysical prior information, including galaxy catalogues to find preferred follow-up locations.

scholarly journals The first six months of the Advanced LIGO’s and Advanced Virgo’s third observing run with GRANDMA

2019 ◽  
Vol 492 (3) ◽  
pp. 3904-3927 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Antier ◽  
S Agayeva ◽  
V Aivazyan ◽  
S Alishov ◽  
E Arbouch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Spatial Localization ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
The Third ◽  
Transient Events ◽  
Tools And Methods

ABSTRACT We present the Global Rapid Advanced Network Devoted to the Multi-messenger Addicts (GRANDMA). The network consists of 21 telescopes with both photometric and spectroscopic facilities. They are connected together thanks to a dedicated infrastructure. The network aims at coordinating the observations of large sky position estimates of transient events to enhance their follow-up and reduce the delay between the initial detection and optical confirmation. The GRANDMA programme mainly focuses on follow-up of gravitational-wave alerts to find and characterize the electromagnetic counterpart during the third observational campaign of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. But it allows for follow-up of any transient alerts involving neutrinos or gamma-ray bursts, even those with poor spatial localization. We present the different facilities, tools, and methods we developed for this network and show its efficiency using observations of LIGO/Virgo S190425z, a binary neutron star merger candidate. We furthermore report on all GRANDMA follow-up observations performed during the first six months of the LIGO–Virgo observational campaign, and we derive constraints on the kilonova properties assuming that the events’ locations were imaged by our telescopes.

scholarly journals Constraints on the circumburst environments of short gamma-ray bursts

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (4) ◽  
pp. 4782-4799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan O’Connor ◽  
Paz Beniamini ◽  
Chryssa Kouveliotou
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Galactic Halo ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
Range Of Values ◽  
Short Grbs

ABSTRACT Observational follow up of well localized short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) has left $20\!-\!30{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the population without a coincident host galaxy association to deep optical and NIR limits (≳26 mag). These SGRBs have been classified as observationally hostless due to their lack of strong host associations. It has been argued that these hostless SGRBs could be an indication of the large distances traversed by the binary neutron star system (due to natal kicks) between its formation and its merger (leading to an SGRB). The distances of GRBs from their host galaxies can be indirectly probed by the surrounding circumburst densities. We show that a lower limit on those densities can be obtained from early afterglow light curves. We find that ${\lesssim}16{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of short GRBs in our sample took place at densities ≲10−4 cm−3. These densities represent the expected range of values at distances greater than the host galaxy’s virial radii. We find that out of the five SGRBs in our sample that have been found to be observationally hostless, none are consistent with having occurred beyond the virial radius of their birth galaxies. This implies one of two scenarios. Either these observationally hostless SGRBs occurred outside of the half-light radius of their host galaxy, but well within the galactic halo, or in host galaxies at moderate to high redshifts (z ≳ 2) that were missed by follow-up observations.

scholarly journals Data-driven Expectations for Electromagnetic Counterpart Searches Based on LIGO/Virgo Public Alerts

2022 ◽  
Vol 924 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Polina Petrov ◽  
Leo P. Singer ◽  
Michael W. Coughlin ◽  
Vishwesh Kumar ◽  
Mouza Almualla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Wave Localization ◽  
Localization Accuracy ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
Data Release

Abstract Searches for electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational-wave signals have redoubled since the first detection in 2017 of a binary neutron star merger with a gamma-ray burst, optical/infrared kilonova, and panchromatic afterglow. Yet, one LIGO/Virgo observing run later, there has not yet been a second, secure identification of an electromagnetic counterpart. This is not surprising given that the localization uncertainties of events in LIGO and Virgo’s third observing run, O3, were much larger than predicted. We explain this by showing that improvements in data analysis that now allow LIGO/Virgo to detect weaker and hence more poorly localized events have increased the overall number of detections, of which well-localized, gold-plated events make up a smaller proportion overall. We present simulations of the next two LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA observing runs, O4 and O5, that are grounded in the statistics of O3 public alerts. To illustrate the significant impact that the updated predictions can have, we study the follow-up strategy for the Zwicky Transient Facility. Realistic and timely forecasting of gravitational-wave localization accuracy is paramount given the large commitments of telescope time and the need to prioritize which events are followed up. We include a data release of our simulated localizations as a public proposal planning resource for astronomers.

scholarly journals Searching for electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational-wave merger events with the prototype Gravitational-Wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO-4)

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (1) ◽  
pp. 726-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
B P Gompertz ◽  
R Cutter ◽  
D Steeghs ◽  
D K Galloway ◽  
J Lyman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Binary Neutron Star ◽  
La Palma ◽  
Binary Black Hole ◽  
Test Models ◽  
Localization Performance ◽  
Optical Transient

ABSTRACT We report the results of optical follow-up observations of 29 gravitational-wave (GW) triggers during the first half of the LIGO–Virgo Collaboration (LVC) O3 run with the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) in its prototype 4-telescope configuration (GOTO-4). While no viable electromagnetic (EM) counterpart candidate was identified, we estimate our 3D (volumetric) coverage using test light curves of on- and off-axis gamma-ray bursts and kilonovae. In cases where the source region was observable immediately, GOTO-4 was able to respond to a GW alert in less than a minute. The average time of first observation was 8.79 h after receiving an alert (9.90 h after trigger). A mean of 732.3 square degrees were tiled per event, representing on average 45.3 per cent of the LVC probability map, or 70.3 per cent of the observable probability. This coverage will further improve as the facility scales up alongside the localization performance of the evolving GW detector network. Even in its 4-telescope prototype configuration, GOTO is capable of detecting AT2017gfo-like kilonovae beyond 200 Mpc in favourable observing conditions. We cannot currently place meaningful EM limits on the population of distant ($\hat{D}_L = 1.3$ Gpc) binary black hole mergers because our test models are too faint to recover at this distance. However, as GOTO is upgraded towards its full 32-telescope, 2 node (La Palma & Australia) configuration, it is expected to be sufficiently sensitive to cover the predicted O4 binary neutron star merger volume, and will be able to respond to both northern and southern triggers.

scholarly journals Protomagnetar research through an analysis of the X-ray plateau in the multi-messengar era

2020 ◽  
Vol 641 ◽  
pp. A56
Author(s):  
Xiaoxiao Ren ◽  
Daming Wei ◽  
Zhenyu Zhu ◽  
Yan Yan ◽  
Chengming Li
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Equation Of State ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Equations Of State ◽  
Electromagnetic Emission ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Gamma Ray Burst ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Binary Neutron Star

The joint detection of the gravitational wave signal and the electromagnetic emission from a binary neutron star merger can place unprecedented constraint on the equation of state of supranuclear matter. Although a variety of electromagnetic counterparts have been observed for GW170817, including a short gamma-ray burst, kilonova, and the afterglow emission, the nature of the merger remnant is still unclear, however. The X-ray plateau is another important characteristics of short gamma-ray bursts. This plateau is probably due to the energy injection from a rapidly rotating magnetar. We investigate what we can learn from the detection of a gravitational wave along with the X-ray plateau. In principle, we can estimate the mass of the merger remnant if the X-ray plateau is caused by the central magnetar. We selected eight equations of state that all satisfy the constraint given by the gravitational wave observation, and then calculated the mass of the merger remnants of four short gamma-ray bursts with a well-measured X-ray plateau. If, on the other hand, the mass of the merger remnant can be obtained by gravitational wave information, then by comparing the masses derived by these two different methods can further constrain the equation of state. We discuss the possibility that the merger product is a quark star. In addition, we estimate the possible mass range for the recently discovered X-ray transient CDF-S XT2 that probably originated from a binary neutron star merger. Finally, under the assumption that the post-merger remnant of GW170817 was a supramassive neutron star, we estimated the allowed parameter space of the supramassive neutron star and find that in this case, the magnetic dipole radiation energy is so high that it may have some effects on the short gamma-ray burst and kilonova emission. The lack of detection of these effects suggests that the merger product of GW170817 may not be a supermassive neutron star.

Skynet’s New Observing Mode: The Campaign Manager

2022 ◽  
Vol 134 (1031) ◽  
pp. 015001
Author(s):  
Dylan A. Dutton ◽  
Daniel E. Reichart ◽  
Joshua B. Haislip ◽  
Vladimir V. Kouprianov ◽  
Omar H. Shaban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Radio Telescope ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Transient Phenomena ◽  
Multi Wavelength ◽  
Scaling Parameters ◽  
Robotic Telescope

Abstract Built in 2004, the Skynet robotic telescope network originally consisted of six 0.4 m telescopes located at the Cerro-Tololo Inter-American Observatory in the Chilean Andes. The network was designed to carry out simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) when they are only tens of seconds old. To date, the network has been expanded to ≈20 telescopes, including a 20 m radio telescope, that span four continents and five countries. The Campaign Manager (CM) is a new observing mode that has been developed for Skynet. Available to all Skynet observers, the CM semi-autonomously and indefinitely scales and schedules exposures on the observer’s behalf while allowing for modification to scaling parameters in real time. The CM is useful for follow up to various transient phenomena including gravitational-wave events, GRB localizations, young supernovae, and eventually, sufficiently bright Argus Optical Array and Large Synoptic Survey Telescope events.

scholarly journals Study of nucleosynthesis in neutron star merger with optical-infrared follow-up observations of gravitational wave sources

Impact ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (5) ◽  
pp. 30-32
Author(s):  
Michitoshi Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Star ◽  
Gravitational Wave ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Astronomical Observatory ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Electro Magnetic ◽  
The Universe

Professor Michitoshi Yoshida, who is based at Subaru Telescope of National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, is a lead scientist with J-GEM (the Japanese Collaboration for Gravitational- Wave Electro-Magnetic Follow-up) and throughout the course of his career in galactic study, has become increasingly interested in the active phenomena of the universe, such as gamma ray bursts (GRB). J-GEM is embarking on a research approach called multi-messenger astronomy, this method is based on the coordination between classical electromagnetic astronomy, new GW astronomy and particle astronomy, and is opening new opportunities for humans to investigate the Universe.

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