The Next Breakthrough Multi-Messenger Gravitational-Wave Discoveries

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Astrophysics is entering a golden era of discovery, in which we can now study the Universe using a combination of two distinct 'cosmic messengers': light as detected by telescopes, and ripples in space-time called gravitational waves. The dawn of multi-messenger gravitational wave astrophysics was heralded by the 17 August 2017 breakthrough discovery of the binary neutron star merger GW170817, which was the first astronomical source to be jointly detected in both light and gravitational waves. Telescope observations of this single merger are now addressing a diverse array of fundamental questions in astrophysics, including the nature of matter at extreme densities, the origin of the heaviest elements on the periodic table, and the expansion rate of the Universe. However, these insights also raised a plethora of new questions that urgently demand telescope follow-up observations of more binary neutron star mergers detected by gravitational wave detectors. My research program ambitiously aims to build a concordant model of electromagnetic emission from binary neutron star mergers detected through gravitational waves. I use an array of world-class telescopes to follow-up and study the electromagnetic emission from these violent mergers. I am a core member of a Canada-wide coalition for multi-messenger astrophysics that has established a carefully-designed suite of telescope programs across the electromagnetic spectrum to fulfill this scientific vision. I will use these telescope programs to conduct wide-field imaging searches for a kilonova counterpart from each merger using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, perform photometric optical/infrared monitoring of the kilonova emission, obtain and analyze optical/infrared spectroscopy using the Gemini Observatory, obtain X-ray observations using the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and obtain radio observations using the Jansky VLA telescope. Each of these programs contributes a critical piece to the multi-messenger puzzle of binary neutron star mergers. Discoveries in multi-messenger astrophysics will soon rapidly accelerate, and my research program is perfectly poised to make the next breakthroughs. Gravitational wave detectors are forecasted to discover dozens of new binary neutron star mergers over the next five years, each with detectable electromagnetic emission. As evidenced by the intense world-wide media attention surrounding the first binary neutron star merger GW170817, this research frontier has also captured the imagination of the general public. Thus, my ambitious and impactful research program will provide fundamental insights into the detailed astrophysics of binary neutron star mergers, and showcase Canadian leadership and innovation in this nascent field on an international stage.