Description
The advanced LIGO gravitational wave detectors have recently begun their first observing run. Their sensitivity will improve over the coming years, and the advanced Virgo and KAGRA detectors will join the global network. These detectors are likely to provide the first direct detection of gravitational waves in the next few years. The most promising sources are the mergers of neutron star and black hole binaries. Observations of binary mergers will provide unique insights into strong field gravity, neutron star structure and black hole populations. Furthermore, joint observations with telescopes and satellites will offer a novel perspective on astronomical transients such as gamma ray bursts and macronovae. In this talk, I will discuss the status of searches for gravitational wave transients and the likely payoffs from their observation.