Towards improving the prospects for coordinated gravitational-wave and electromagnetic observations

TL;DR

This paper explores methods to enhance joint gravitational-wave and electromagnetic observations of binary neutron star mergers through archival data analysis and targeted follow-up, emphasizing improved localization and prior information use.

Contribution

It introduces a quantitative framework for evaluating GW detection improvements from EM data and advocates for advanced localization and prior-based follow-up strategies.

Findings

Quantitative approach to assess GW detection enhancement from EM triggers

Proposal for using slower, optimal parameter-estimation techniques for localization

Emphasis on integrating galaxy catalogs and prior information for follow-up

Abstract

We discuss two approaches to searches for gravitational-wave (GW) and electromagnetic (EM) counterparts of binary neutron star mergers. The first approach relies on triggering archival searches of GW detector data based on detections of EM transients. We introduce a quantitative approach to evaluate the improvement to GW detector reach due to the extra information gained from the EM transient and the increased confidence in the presence of a signal from a binary merger. We also advocate utilizing other transients in addition to short gamma ray bursts. The second approach involves following up GW candidates with targeted EM observations. We argue for the use of slower but optimal parameter-estimation techniques to localize the source on the sky, and for a more sophisticated use of astrophysical prior information, including galaxy catalogs, to find preferred followup locations.