The road to gravitational-wave astronomy

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current state and challenges of gravitational-wave astronomy, emphasizing the need for further development and modeling to realize its full scientific potential.

Contribution

It provides an overview of key ideas, current progress, and future modeling questions in gravitational-wave astronomy.

Findings

Identification of major challenges in detection and modeling

Summary of current observational status

Outline of future research directions

Abstract

Gravitational-wave astronomy is an area of great promise, yet to be realized. While we are waiting for the first (undisputed!) direct detection of these elusive waves it is useful to take stock and consider the challenges that need to be met if we want this field to reach its full potential. This write-up provides a brief introduction to some of the key ideas and the current state-of-play, and lists a range of modelling questions that need to be considered in the future.