Low Latency Search for Gravitational Waves with Electromagnetic Counterparts from Compact Binary Coalescence
Abstract
Gravitational waves generated during coalescence of compact objects (neutron stars and/or black holes) may be accompanied by electromagnetic radiation detectable by ground based wide-field optical telescopes or the Swift X-Ray satellite. If observed, an electromagnetic counterpart would significantly increase detection confidence of the associated gravitational-wave candidate and provide important information about the source. We describe the low latency search for gravitational waves from compact binary coalescence performed during the S6/VSR3 science run of LIGO and Virgo observatories, featuring rapid source localization for prompt electromagnetic follow-up observations. We describe the search procedure which was implemented for the first time, and discuss the challenges we faced and prospects for such observations in the era of advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors.
- Publication:
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AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #12
- Pub Date:
- September 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011HEAD...12.0901V