Gravitational Waves, Gamma-Ray Bursts, and the Multi-Messenger Exploration of the Transient Sky

引力波的探测将为瞬变天空提供一个全新的视角。先进的LIGO，激光干涉引力波天文台，将很快开启一个时代，届时有关伽马射线爆发的神秘问题，最具相对论性和能量的恒星爆炸，将通过多信使研究得到澄清。在这一框架内，本奖项支持：（i）培训一名研究生，使其能够在LIGO科学合作组织内从事与伽马射线爆发同时进行的LIGO搜索;（ii）与LIGO-Virgo三重符合触发器的电磁跟踪有关的研究;（iii）搜索“持续时间较长”的引力波信号，旨在探测伽马射线爆发的磁星祖情景。引力波的探测可以第一次直接探测伽马射线爆发祖先的性质。通过引力波触发器的电磁跟踪发现“孤儿余辉”，将产生对伽马射线爆发喷流模型的最戏剧性的确认。探测到与伽马射线爆发同时发生的持续时间较长的引力波信号，可以探测中央引擎的性质（磁星与黑洞），并解释一些最令人困惑的观测性质的早期余辉阶段。该项目的一个重要组成部分是培养研究生和本科生成为下一代天体物理学家：能够将天文学和引力物理学联系起来的科学家。鼓励学生参与LIGO工程运行，致力于先进探测器的准备。通过在当地天文馆举办的讲座，更广泛地传播引力波天文学的概念，并提高人们对LIGO作为致力于开创天文学新时代的美国国家设施的认识。最后一项服务于公立学校的学生，他们绝大多数属于代表性不足的群体。

The detection of gravitational waves will provide a totally new view of the transient sky. The advanced LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory, will soon open an era when mysterious questions regarding gamma-ray bursts, the most relativistic and energetic stellar explosions, will be clarified via multi-messenger studies. In this framework, the present award supports: (i) the training of a graduate student who can work, within the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, on LIGO searches in coincidence with gamma-ray bursts; (ii) studies related to the electromagnetic follow-up of LIGO-Virgo triple coincidence triggers; (iii) searches for "longer-duration" gravitational wave signals, aimed at probing the magnetar progenitor scenario for gamma-ray bursts. The detection of gravitational waves could probe, for the first time directly, the nature of gamma-ray burst progenitors. The discovery of an "orphan afterglow" via electromagnetic follow-up of a gravitational wave trigger, would yield the most dramatic confirmation of the jet model for gamma-ray bursts. The detection of a longer-duration gravitational wave signal in coincidence with a gamma-ray burst, could probe the nature of the central engine (magnetar versus black-hole), and explain some of the most puzzling observational properties of the early afterglow phase.An important component of this project is the training of graduate and undergraduate students at being the next generation of astrophysicists: scientists capable of bridging astronomy and gravitational physics. Students' participation in LIGO engineering runs dedicated to the preparation of the advanced detectors, is encouraged. A wider dissemination of the concept of gravitational wave astronomy, and awareness of LIGO as the US national facility dedicated to opening a new era in astronomy, are promoted through lectures offered at a local planetarium. The last serves public school students belonging, for the vast majority, to underrepresented groups.