Seminar: The gravitational wave frontier - For the uninitiated

The advent of gravitational wave astronomy is swiftly opening our eyes to new and exciting aspects of nature. The initial detection of merging black hole binaries is a mere hint of the physics waiting to be uncovered through gravitational waves. In this seminar we will look at some basics of gravitational wave physics and what observations can teach us about astrophysics. We look at the ongoing efforts to improve the numerical and analytical modelling of gravitational wave emission from varying sources that are paramount in order to keep up with nascent observing facilities coming online in the next decade. We will discuss how major improvements in the detector sensitivity allows for detailed study of black holes, neutron stars and other astrophysical sources, even at cosmic distances!

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Sema will organise and chair the seminar. There will be lunch at around 12:15, and fika in the astronomy corridor after the seminar.