The Promise of Low-Frequency Gravitational Wave Astronomy

TL;DR

Low-frequency gravitational-wave astronomy offers promising opportunities to observe massive black hole mergers, galactic binaries, and other strong sources, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of the universe.

Contribution

This white paper highlights the scientific potential and key sources in low-frequency gravitational-wave astronomy, emphasizing its importance for future discoveries.

Findings

Identification of key sources in low-frequency GW range

Potential for groundbreaking astrophysical insights

Advocacy for development of low-frequency GW detectors

Abstract

This Astro2010 science white paper provides an overview of the opportunities in low-frequency gravitational-wave astronomy, a new field that is poised to make significant advances. While discussing the broad context of gravitational-wave astronomy, this paper concentrates on the low-frequency region (10^(-5) to 1 Hz), a frequency range abundantly populated in strong sources of gravitational waves including massive black hole mergers, ultra-compact stellar-mass galactic binaries, and capture of compact objects by massive black holes in the nuclei of galaxies.