Gravitational+Waves

Joan Centrella, Roy Williams
 * Gravitational Waves Workshop**

The window to the dark Universe is opening: in ~5 years, we will make the first gravitational wave detections in the high-frequency regime, then further detectors will open other frequency windows. Since the Universe is nearly transparent to gravitational waves, these signals carry direct information about their sources – such as masses, spins, luminosity distances, and orbital parameters – even through dense, obscured regions. This workshop will summarize the astrophysics and the nature of the detections, but mostly encourage participation and discussion from those astronomers who are interested in the opportunities of this exciting field.

Overview, GW frequencies, instruments, sources – Joan Centrella Detection Confidence: Stephen Fairhurst Overview of EM Counterparts – Brian Metzger Observability, Rates, Sky Localization – Samaya Nissanke Open data and release of GW triggers (sample) – Roy Williams Coordination of Follow-up: Larry Price and Leo Singer Radio and Lofar – Ed Daw Optical and X-ray follow up – Eric Chassande-Mottin
 * High Frequency (LIGO-type) waves

Alberto Sesana -- eLISA Jonathan Gair -- EMRIs Jeremy Schnittman -- Astrophysics of merging MBHs (EM counterparts) Stefanie Komossa-- MBH binaries -- earlier stage of evolution and EM signals
 * Low Frequency (LISA-type) waves

[|2-slide summary of workshop for final plenary]