PIRSA:25110080 Scientific Series Strong Gravity

DOI10.48660/25110080

Series: Strong Gravity

Vijaykumar, A. (2025). Gravitational wave observations as astrophysical probes. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/25110080

Vijaykumar, Aditya. Gravitational wave observations as astrophysical probes. Perimeter Institute, Nov. 06, 2025, https://pirsa.org/25110080 

@misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:25110080,
  doi = {10.48660/25110080},
  url = {https://pirsa.org/25110080},
  author = {Vijaykumar, Aditya},
  keywords = {Strong Gravity},
  language = {en},
  title = {Gravitational wave observations as astrophysical probes},
  publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
  year = {2025},
  month = {nov},
  note = {PIRSA:25110080 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
}

Abstract

In the ten years since the first GW detection, the LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA detectors have amassed around 200 compact binary mergers. In this talk, I will describe how these compact binaries can be used as astrophysical probes. I will show how we extract population properties from GW data, emphasizing a defining feature of GW astronomy: the ability to accurately and precisely model selection effects (the GW analogue of the Malmquist bias). I will then present what we have learned so far from the current public catalog (GWTC-4.0) about the demographics and formation channels of compact binaries. If time permits, I will also highlight how subtle signatures of center-of-mass motion in the GW signal can reveal the environments in which these binaries live.

Resources

Next talk

Related Talks