Early Advanced LIGO binary neutron-star sky localization and parameter estimation. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Berry, C P L; Farr, B; Farr, W M; Haster, C-J; Mandel, I; Middleton, H; Singer, L P; Urban, A L; Vecchio, A; Vitale, S; Cannon, K; Graff, P B; Hanna, C; Mohapatra, S; Pankow, C; Price, L R; Sidery, T; Veitch, J
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 716(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/716/1/012031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: 2015 will see the first observations of Advanced LIGO and the start of the gravitational-wave (GW) advanced-detector era. One of the most promising sources for ground- based GW detectors are binary neutron-star (BNS) coalescences. In order to use any detections for astrophysics, we must understand the capabilities of our parameter-estimation analysis. By simulating the GWs from an astrophysically motivated population of BNSs, we examine the accuracy of parameter inferences in the early advanced-detector era. We find that sky location, which is important for electromagnetic follow-up, can be determined rapidly (∼ 5 s), but that sky areas may be hundreds of square degrees. The degeneracy between component mass and spin means there is significant uncertainty for measurements of the individual masses and spins; however, the chirp mass is well measured (typically better than 0.1%).