The Next Breakthrough Multi-Messenger Gravitational-Wave Discoveries

下一个突破性多信使引力波发现

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-02723
• 负责人: Ruan, John
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: Bishop's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=762572
• 关键词: Next; Breakthrough; Multi; Messenger; Gravitational

Astrophysics is entering a golden era of discovery, in which we can now study the Universe using a combination of two distinct 'cosmic messengers': light as detected by telescopes, and ripples in space-time called gravitational waves. The dawn of multi-messenger gravitational wave astrophysics was heralded by the 17 August 2017 breakthrough discovery of the binary neutron star merger GW170817, which was the first astronomical source to be jointly detected in both light and gravitational waves. Telescope observations of this single merger are now addressing a diverse array of fundamental questions in astrophysics, including the nature of matter at extreme densities, the origin of the heaviest elements on the periodic table, and the expansion rate of the Universe. However, these insights also raised a plethora of new questions that urgently demand telescope follow-up observations of more binary neutron star mergers detected by gravitational wave detectors. My research program ambitiously aims to build a concordant model of electromagnetic emission from binary neutron star mergers detected through gravitational waves. I use an array of world-class telescopes to follow-up and study the electromagnetic emission from these violent mergers. I am a core member of a Canada-wide coalition for multi-messenger astrophysics that has established a carefully-designed suite of telescope programs across the electromagnetic spectrum to fulfill this scientific vision. I will use these telescope programs to conduct wide-field imaging searches for a kilonova counterpart from each merger using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, perform photometric optical/infrared monitoring of the kilonova emission, obtain and analyze optical/infrared spectroscopy using the Gemini Observatory, obtain X-ray observations using the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and obtain radio observations using the Jansky VLA telescope. Each of these programs contributes a critical piece to the multi-messenger puzzle of binary neutron star mergers. Discoveries in multi-messenger astrophysics will soon rapidly accelerate, and my research program is perfectly poised to make the next breakthroughs. Gravitational wave detectors are forecasted to discover dozens of new binary neutron star mergers over the next five years, each with detectable electromagnetic emission. As evidenced by the intense world-wide media attention surrounding the first binary neutron star merger GW170817, this research frontier has also captured the imagination of the general public. Thus, my ambitious and impactful research program will provide fundamental insights into the detailed astrophysics of binary neutron star mergers, and showcase Canadian leadership and innovation in this nascent field on an international stage.

天体物理学正在进入一个发现的黄金时代，我们现在可以结合使用两种不同的“宇宙信使”来研究宇宙：望远镜探测到的光，以及称为引力波的时空涟漪。 2017 年 8 月 17 日双中子星合并 GW170817 的突破性发现预示着多信使引力波天体物理学的黎明，这是第一个在光波和引力波中联合探测到的天文源。对这次合并的望远镜观测现在正在解决天体物理学中的一系列基本问题，包括极端密度下物质的性质、元素周期表中最重元素的起源以及宇宙的膨胀率。然而，这些见解也提出了许多新问题，迫切需要望远镜对引力波探测器探测到的更多双中子星合并进行后续观测。我的研究计划雄心勃勃，旨在建立一个通过引力波检测到的双中子星合并电磁发射的一致模型。我使用一系列世界级的望远镜来跟踪和研究这些剧烈合并产生的电磁发射。我是加拿大多信使天体物理学联盟的核心成员，该联盟已经建立了一套精心设计的电磁频谱望远镜计划，以实现这一科学愿景。我将使用这些望远镜程序使用加拿大-法国-夏威夷望远镜对每次合并中的千新星对应物进行宽视场成像搜索，对千新星发射进行光度光学/红外监测，使用双子座获得和分析光学/红外光谱天文台，使用钱德拉 X 射线天文台获得 X 射线观测，并使用 Jansky VLA 望远镜获得射电观测。这些程序中的每一个都为双中子星合并的多信使难题做出了关键贡献。多信使天体物理学的发现很快就会迅速加速，我的研究计划完全准备好取得下一个突破。预计引力波探测器将在未来五年内发现数十个新的双中子星合并，每一个都具有可检测到的电磁发射。正如全球媒体对首个双中子星合并 GW170817 的强烈关注所证明的那样，这一研究前沿也激发了公众的想象力。因此，我雄心勃勃且有影响力的研究计划将为双中子星合并的详细天体物理学提供基本见解，并在国际舞台上展示加拿大在这个新兴领域的领导力和创新。