The Next Breakthrough Multi-Messenger Gravitational-Wave Discoveries

下一个突破性多信使引力波发现

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-02723
• 负责人: Ruan, John
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: Bishop's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=762572
• 关键词: Next; Breakthrough; Multi; Messenger; Gravitational

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.

天体物理学正在进入一个发现的黄金时代，在这个时代，我们现在可以使用两种不同的“宇宙信使”来研究宇宙：望远镜探测到的光，以及被称为引力波的时空涟漪。2017年8月17日，双星中子星星合并GW 170817的突破性发现预示着多信使引力波天体物理学的曙光，这是第一个在光和引力波中联合探测到的天文源。望远镜对这一单一合并的观测现在正在解决天体物理学中的各种基本问题，包括极端密度下物质的性质，周期表上最重元素的起源以及宇宙的膨胀率。然而，这些见解也提出了过多的新问题，迫切需要望远镜后续观测引力波探测器探测到的更多双中子星星合并。我的研究计划雄心勃勃，旨在建立一个和谐的电磁辐射模型，从双中子星星合并通过引力波检测。我使用一系列世界级的望远镜来跟踪和研究这些剧烈合并产生的电磁辐射。我是加拿大多信使天体物理学联盟的核心成员，该联盟建立了一套精心设计的电磁频谱望远镜计划，以实现这一科学愿景。我将利用这些望远镜程序，使用加拿大-法国-夏威夷望远镜，对每次合并的千诺瓦对应物进行宽视场成像搜索，对千诺瓦辐射进行光度光学/红外监测，使用双子座天文台获得和分析光学/红外光谱，使用钱德拉X射线天文台获得X射线观测，并使用扬斯基VLA望远镜获得射电观测。这些计划中的每一个都为双中子星星合并的多信使之谜贡献了关键的一部分。多信使天体物理学的发现将很快迅速加速，我的研究计划完全准备好取得下一个突破。引力波探测器预计将在未来五年内发现数十个新的双中子星星合并，每一个都有可探测到的电磁辐射。第一颗中子星星合并双星GW 170817引起了全世界媒体的广泛关注，这一研究前沿也吸引了公众的想象力。因此，我雄心勃勃和有影响力的研究计划将提供基本的见解，详细的天体物理学的二元中子星星合并，并展示加拿大的领导和创新在这个新兴领域的国际舞台上。