Gravitational-Wave Science: Multi-Messenger Searches and Tests of Alternative Theories

引力波是时空几何中的微小涟漪，由遥远的天体如黑洞、中子星和超新星产生，有望为这些有趣而重要的天体物理系统提供独特的见解。激光干涉仪引力波观测站在2005-2007年和2009-2010年成功地完成了“科学运行”，与位于欧洲的地球观测卫星和处女座引力波探测器一起收集了高灵敏度数据。该奖项支持一项研究计划，该计划利用这些科学运行的数据，与光学和射电天文学家合作，完成对引力波事件的创新多信使搜索。这些数据还将被用来测试其他引力理论。最后，当高级LIGO和处女座探测器在2014至2015年的时间框架内开始科学运行时，将开始准备使用高级LIGO和处女座探测器改进的实时多信使搜索。该项目通过探索具有引力波和无线电和/或光学发射的高能量天体物理事件，帮助NSF最大限度地增加对LIGO和高级LIGO的投资。因此，它将引力波探测工作与主流天文学联系起来，通过协调观测最大限度地发挥科学潜力。此外，它还将探索重力的基本物理学。除了使物理学和天体物理学知识受益外，该项目还将增加学生和未被充分代表的少数群体参与科学研究，向公众传播这项研究的成果，并改善科学的教与学。

Gravitational waves are tiny ripples in the geometry of spacetime, generated by distant astrophysical objects such as black holes, neutron stars, and supernovas, that promise to provide unique insights into these intriguing and important astrophysical systems. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) completed successful "science runs" in 2005-2007 and 2009-2010, collecting high-sensitivity data together with the GEO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors located in Europe. This award supports a research program to use the data from those science runs to complete innovative multi-messenger searches for gravitational wave events in collaboration with optical and radio astronomers. The data will also be used to test alternative theories of gravity. Finally, preparations will begin for improved real-time multi-messenger searches using the Advanced LIGO and Virgo detectors when they begin science running in the 2014 to 2015 timeframe.This project helps to maximize NSF's investment in LIGO and Advanced LIGO by exploring highly energetic astrophysical events with both gravitational-wave and radio and/or optical emissions. It thus connects the gravitational-wave detection effort with mainstream astronomy, maximizing the scientific potential through coordinated observations. In addition, it will explore the fundamental physics of gravity. In addition to the benefits to physics and astrophysics knowledge, this project will increase the participation of students and underrepresented minorities in scientific research, disseminate the results from this research to the general public, and improve the teaching and learning of science.