Abstract
During the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory and Virgo joint science runs in 2009-2010, gravitational wave (GW) data from three interferometer detectors were analyzed within minutes to select GW candidate events and infer their apparent sky positions. Target coordinates were transmitted to several telescopes for follow-up observations aimed at the detection of an associated optical transient. Images were obtained for eight such GW candidates. We present the methods used to analyze the image data as well as the transient search results. No optical transient was identified with a convincing association with any of these candidates, and none of the GW triggers showed strong evidence for being astrophysical in nature. We compare the sensitivities of these observations to several model light curves from possible sources of interest, and discuss prospects for future joint GW-optical observations of this type.
Recommended Citation
M. Constancio et al., "First Searches for Optical Counterparts to Gravitational-Wave Candidate Events," Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series, vol. 211, no. 1, Institute of Physics - IOP Publishing, Feb 2014.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1088/0067-0049/211/1/7
Department(s)
Physics
Keywords and Phrases
Binaries: close; Catalogs; Gravitational waves; Stars: neutron; Surveys
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0067-0049
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2014 Institute of Physics - IOP Publishing, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Feb 2014
