Searching for gravitational wave counterparts with the Dark Energy Camera

by Matt Nicholl (Harvard-Smithsonian CfA)

Tuesday 17 Oct 2017, 13:15 → 14:15 Europe/Stockholm

FA32

The early years of gravitational wave astronomy have seen valiant efforts by groups using optical telescopes to search for electromagnetic counterparts to GW sources. However, with only two LIGO detectors in operation, the probability sky maps were typically spread over ~1000 square degrees, making prompt optical coverage difficult. With the Virgo detector now added to the GW network, much better sky localisation can be achieved, improving the prospects for optical follow-up. I will discuss some recent efforts on this front, using among other facilities the Dark Energy Camera on the 4-m CTIO Blanco Telescope. I will also talk about the major announcement from the LIGO-Virgo Collaboration on October 16.