Early Advanced LIGO binary neutron-star sky localization and parameter estimation

• Published in: Journal of physics. Conference series Vol. 716; no. 1; pp. 12031 - 12034
• Main 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
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.05.2016
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Binary stars; Gravitational waves; Parameter estimation; Physics
• ISSN: 1742-6588; 1742-6596
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/716/1/012031

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%).