Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published June 1, 2019 | Submitted + Published
Journal Article Open

A First Search for Prompt Radio Emission from a Gravitational-wave Event

Abstract

Multimessenger observations of the binary neutron star merger GW170817 have enabled the discovery of a diverse array of electromagnetic counterparts to compact binary mergers, including an unambiguous kilonova, a short gamma-ray burst, and a late-time radio jet. Beyond these counterparts, compact binary mergers are additionally predicted to be accompanied by prompt low-frequency radio emission. The successful observation of a prompt radio counterpart would be immensely valuable, but is made difficult by the short delay between the gravitational-wave and prompt electromagnetic signals, as well as by the poor localization of gravitational-wave sources. Here, we present the first search for prompt radio emission accompanying a gravitational-wave event, targeting the binary black hole merger GW170104 detected by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo during their second (O2) observing run. Using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory Long Wavelength Array, we search a ~900 deg^2 region for transient radio emission within approximately one hour of GW170104, obtaining an upper limit of 2.5 × 10^(41) erg s^(−1) on its equivalent isotropic luminosity between 27 and 84 MHz. We additionally discuss plans to target binary neutron star mergers in Advanced LIGO and Virgo's upcoming O3 observing run.

Additional Information

© 2019 The American Astronomical Society. Received 2019 March 15; revised 2019 May 8; accepted 2019 May 16; published 2019 June 4. This material is based in part upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant AST-1654815 and AST-1212226. T.C. is supported by LIGO Laboratory, funded by the National Science Foundation under cooperative agreement PHY-0757058, and by the Josephine de Karman Fellowship Trust. G.H. acknowledges the support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. Part of this research was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The OVRO-LWA project was initiated through the kind donation of Deborah Castleman and Harold Rosen.

Attached Files

Published - Callister_2019_ApJL_877_L39.pdf

Submitted - 1903.06786.pdf

Files

1903.06786.pdf
Files (8.1 MB)
Name Size Download all
md5:f9be164d723df6672780c1e16d188794
6.4 MB Preview Download
md5:4decc4d27b6e0c7f87cb77a10802b186
1.7 MB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 20, 2023