Bibcode
Abbott, B. P.; Abbott, R.; Abbott, T. D.; Abernathy, M. R.; Acernese, F.; Ackley, K.; Adams, C.; Adams, T.; Addesso, P.; Adhikari, R. X.; Adya, V. B.; Affeldt, C.; Agathos, M.; Agatsuma, K.; Aggarwal, N.; Aguiar, O. D.; Aiello, L.; Ain, A.; Ajith, P.; Allen, B.; Allocca, A.; Altin, P. A.; Anderson, S. B.; Anderson, W. G.; Arai, K.; Araya, M. C.; Arceneaux, C. C.; Areeda, J. S.; Arnaud, N.; Arun, K. G.; Ascenzi, S.; Ashton, G.; Ast, M.; Aston, S. M.; Astone, P.; Aufmuth, P.; Aulbert, C.; Babak, S.; Bacon, P.; Bader, M. K. M.; Baker, P. T.; Baldaccini, F.; Ballardin, G.; Ballmer, S. W.; Barayoga, J. C.; Barclay, S. E.; Barish, B. C.; Barker, D.; Barone, F.; Barr, B.; Barsotti, L.; Barsuglia, M.; Barta, D.; Barthelmy, S.; Bartlett, J.; Bartos, I.; Bassiri, R.; Basti, A.; Batch, J. C.; Baune, C.; Bavigadda, V.; Bazzan, M.; Behnke, B.; Bejger, M.; Bell, A. S.; Bell, C. J.; Berger, B. K.; Bergman, J.; Bergmann, G.; Berry, C. P. L.; Bersanetti, D.; Bertolini, A.; Betzwieser, J.; Bhagwat, S.; Bhandare, R.; Bilenko, I. A.; Billingsley, G.; Birch, J.; Birney, R.; Biscans, S.; Bisht, A.; Bitossi, M.; Biwer, C.; Bizouard, M. A.; Blackburn, J. K.; Blair, C. D.; Blair, D. G.; Blair, R. M.; Bloemen, S.; Bock, O.; Bodiya, T. P.; Boer, M.; Bogaert, G.; Bogan, C.; Bohe, A.; Bojtos, P.; Bond, C.; Bondu, F.; Bonnand, R.; Boom, B. A. et al.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Volume 826, Issue 1, article id. L13, 8 pp. (2016).
Advertised on:
7
2016
Citations
256
Refereed citations
212
Description
A gravitational-wave (GW) transient was identified in data recorded by
the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)
detectors on 2015 September 14. The event, initially designated G184098
and later given the name GW150914, is described in detail elsewhere. By
prior arrangement, preliminary estimates of the time, significance, and
sky location of the event were shared with 63 teams of observers
covering radio, optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths
with ground- and space-based facilities. In this Letter we describe the
low-latency analysis of the GW data and present the sky localization of
the first observed compact binary merger. We summarize the follow-up
observations reported by 25 teams via private Gamma-ray Coordinates
Network circulars, giving an overview of the participating facilities,
the GW sky localization coverage, the timeline, and depth of the
observations. As this event turned out to be a binary black hole merger,
there is little expectation of a detectable electromagnetic (EM)
signature. Nevertheless, this first broadband campaign to search for a
counterpart of an Advanced LIGO source represents a milestone and
highlights the broad capabilities of the transient astronomy community
and the observing strategies that have been developed to pursue neutron
star binary merger events. Detailed investigations of the EM data and
results of the EM follow-up campaign are being disseminated in papers by
the individual teams.