Finding and Using Electromagnetic Counterparts of Gravitational Wave Sources

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of identifying electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave sources to unlock a broader range of scientific insights in astronomy and astrophysics.

Contribution

It advocates for proactive efforts to find electromagnetic counterparts, enhancing the scientific return of gravitational wave detections.

Findings

Electromagnetic counterparts can significantly expand scientific understanding.

Preparation and effort are crucial for successful identification.

Gravitational wave detectors will answer more questions with electromagnetic follow-up.

Abstract

The principal goal of this whitepaper is not so much to demonstrate that gravitational wave detectors like LIGO and LISA will help answer many central questions in astronomy and astrophysics, but to make the case that they can help answer a far greater range of questions if we prepare to make the (sometimes substantial) effort to identify electromagnetic counterparts to the gravitational wave sources.