Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Graphs of recovered gravitational waveforms. The dark band shows estimates for the waveform without assuming a particular source. The light bands show results if we assume it is a binary black hole (BBH) as predicted by general relativity. They match really well

The detection of gravitational waves from the merging binary black hole GW150914, followed by the (likely) binary black hole mergers LVT151012, GW151226, and GW170104, means the era of gravitational wave astronomy is upon us.

We expect to detect tens of merging binary black holes before the end of the decade, will eventually detect mergers involving neutron stars, and---if the universe cooperates---find surprising, exotic gravitational phenomena. The gravitational wave astronomy group at the CCA will help shape this burgeoning field. We will be involved in detailed modelling of the formation and emissions (gravitational and otherwise) of these sources of gravitational radiation, development of sophisticated analysis methods for extracting and characterising gravitational wave signals from noisy detector data streams, and the application of cutting-edge statistical techniques to characterise the population of gravitational wave sources and relate it to existing models and observations of stellar populations.

Projects

When neutron stars collide, they emit light and gravitational waves, as seen in this artist’s illustration. By comparing the timing of the two emissions from many different neutron star mergers, researchers can measure how fast the universe is expanding.

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News & Announcements

Astrophysicist Chiara Mingarelli Awarded the 2023 HEAD Early Career Prize

Doomed Pair of Supermassive Black Holes the Closest to Collision Ever Seen By Thomas Sumner

An illustration of two neutron stars in the process of merging. Gold surrounds the two objects.

LIGO-Virgo Network Catches Another Neutron Star Collision

Leadership

Will Farr, Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist, Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Will Farr is a lecturer and astrophysicist at the Institute of Gravitational Wave Astronomy at the University of Birmingham. In 2018 he will move to New York for a joint position as an associate professor at Stony Brook University and a group leader at the…

Maximiliano Isi, Ph.D.

Flatiron Research Fellow, Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Max Isi as a Flatiron Research Fellow with the Gravitational Waves group at the Center for Compuational Astrophysics.

Kaze Wong, Ph.D.

Flatiron Research Fellow, Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Kaze Wong is a Flatiron Research Fellow at the Center for Computational Astrophysics. Kaze earned his PhD from Johns Hopkins University in physics and astronomy.