Binary black holes and their echoes in the Universe – Pablo Laguna
Date: Thu. March 29th, 2007, 4:15 pm-5:15 pmLocation: Rockefeller 301
A new window in astronomy will open once gravitational-wave interferometers detect “first light.” These detectors will give us a revolutionary view of the Universe, complementary to the electromagnetic perspective. The detection and characterization of gravitational waves is a formidable undertaking, requiring innovative engineering, powerful data analysis tools as well as careful theoretical and numerical modeling. Binary black holes are expected to be one of the primary sources of gravitational radiation. I will review the latest developments to numerically model binary black holes. I will also address the role that these simulations have of assisting us in exploring where and how gravitational wave observations can enhance our understanding of astronomical phenomena and gravity.