Gravitational Wave Data Analysis, Black Hole & Neutron Star Mergers, Gravitational Wave Sources & Their Electromagnetic Counterparts
Image Credit: NSF/LIGO/Sonoma State University/A. Simonnet
As a discipline, astronomy is constantly being pushed forward by new technologies that transform how we observe the Universe. Multi-messenger astronomy is the synthesis of observations using light, gravitational waves, and astro particles. Combining different information from different types of signals allows us to better understand the underlying physical processes that govern how astrophysical systems evolve and change, and helps us get a better handle on the uncertainties and statistics that are inherent to every observation we make. Additionally, numerical simulations are another type of “messenger” that can be combined with observations to better understand astrophysical phenomena. In CIERA, we have broad expertise and interest in multi-messenger astronomy, particularly at the interface of electromagnetic and gravitational-wave observations.
Research at CIERA
Compact objects, such as black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarfs, often exist in pairs which eventually merge. These systems are strong sources of gravitational waves, and their nature and the environment in which they reside has a profound effect on possible associated electromagnetic signatures.
Professor Fong’s group looks for EM counterparts to GW events with observing programs in Hawaii, Chile, and Arizona. They are particularly interested in studying short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) whose progenitors are likely neutron star mergers with other neutron stars or black holes.
Professor Fragione studies mergers of black holes and neutron stars in star clusters and in hierarchical configurations as a source of gravitational waves, relevant for the LIGO-Virgo collaboration and the LISA mission.
Professor Kilpatrick uses large catalogs of galaxies and optical transients to optimize searches for the counterparts to neutron star mergers with the goal of understanding their contribution to the production of elements heavier than iron.
Opportunity
Deadline: 11:59pm, March 19, 2024
REACH (Research Experiences in Astronomy at CIERA for High School Students) is a highly interactive, in-person 3-week program (with an optional 3-week extension) that provides high school students experience with astronomy research in an atmosphere of team-style learning, hands-on training, and mentorship from professional scientists. Students enrolled in the program engage in astronomy research projects with
Deadline: 11:59pm, March 22, 2024
Funded by an educational grant awarded by NASA to Northwestern University through the Illinois Space Grant Consortium, Northwestern offers a College Summer Research Program for outstanding undergraduates. The program provides an opportunity for college students to work with a professor in one of several areas of space sciences and astrophysics. It is open to students
News
Gallery
‘Blob-like’ home of farthest-known fast radio burst is collection of seven galaxies
‘Blob-like’ home of farthest-known fast radio burst is collection of seven galaxies
A Hubble Space Telescope image of the host galaxy of an exceptionally powerful fast radio burst, FRB 20220610A. In summer 2022, astronomers detected the most powerful fast radio burst (FRB) ever observed. And coming from a location that dates halfway back to the Big Bang, it also was the farthest known FRB spotted to date.
NASA, ESA, STScI, Alexa Gordon (Northwestern)
- Science
Unprecedented gamma-ray burst explained by long-lived jet
Unprecedented gamma-ray burst explained by long-lived jet
Last year, Northwestern University researchers uncovered new observational evidence that long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can result from the merger of a neutron star with another compact object (either another neutron star or black hole) — a finding that was previously believed to be impossible. Now, another Northwestern team offers a potential explanation for what generated
Ore Gottlieb/Danat Issa/Alexander Tchekhovskoy/CIERA/Northwestern
- Science
Dying stars’ cocoons could be new source of gravitational waves
Dying stars’ cocoons could be new source of gravitational waves
When massive stars collapse into black holes, they may create powerful outflows (or jets) of particles traveling close to the speed of light. New simulations model this process — from the time the star collapses into a black hole until the jet escapes. For the first time, the simulations show that the cocoon of stellar
Ore Gottlieb/Northwestern/CIERA
- Science
Aaron Geller and Alex Gurvich showcase Firefly on AAS Journal Author Series
Aaron Geller and Alex Gurvich showcase Firefly on AAS Journal Author Series
On May 27, 2023, CIERA Research Assistant Professor Aaron Geller and former NSF Graduate Fellow Alex Gurvich were featured on the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Journal Author Series to showcase Firefly, their new browser-based interactive tool for visualizing 3D particle data sets. Geller and Gurvich were interviewed by the AAS’s Frank Timmes. Read the full news story
- Event
Data Science Challenges in Gravitational Wave Surveys: a CIERA Interdisciplinary Colloquium by Tyson Littenburg
Data Science Challenges in Gravitational Wave Surveys: a CIERA Interdisciplinary Colloquium by Tyson Littenburg
Dr. Tyson Littenburg presents an Interdisciplinary Colloquium on April 13, 2023, organized by Northwestern University’s Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics. Read the full CIERA News story here.
- Data Science & Computing,
- Interdisciplinary,
- Event
“Dance of the Black Holes”, composed by Darsan Swaroop Bellie
“Dance of the Black Holes”, composed by Darsan Swaroop Bellie
“Dance of the Black Holes” is an original composition by CIERA Post-Baccalaureate Research Fellow Darsan Swaroop Bellie (on drums) and the debut performance of the Star Eyes Initiative. The performance took place during the CIERA-hosted LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration meeting networking event on March 15, 2023. Composer’s Notes below: Focusing on a binary black hole system, the
- Education,
- Event,
- Outreach,
- Interdisciplinary
People
Core Faculty
Vicky Kalogera
Daniel I. Linzer Distinguished University Professor, Director of CIERA
Shane L. Larson
Research Professor, Associate Director of CIERA
Associate Faculty
Suzan van der Lee
Sarah Rebecca Roland Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Director of Computing
External Faculty
Diego Muñoz
Visiting Scholar, Professor at University of Arizone