Interpreting signals from astrophysical transient experiments

TL;DR

This paper discusses the rapid growth of time domain astronomy, emphasizing the need for efficient communication and coordination among observatories to maximize scientific discoveries from transient events across multiple signals.

Contribution

It provides a summary of a 2012 meeting where scientists analyzed challenges and strategies for improving collaboration in the era of advanced transient observational facilities.

Findings

Highlighting the importance of communication in transient detection

Identifying challenges in coordinating multi-messenger observations

Proposing strategies for better collaboration among facilities

Abstract

Time domain astronomy has come of age with astronomers now able to monitor the sky at high cadence both across the electromagnetic spectrum and using neutrinos and gravitational waves. The advent of new observing facilities permits new science, but the ever increasing throughput of facilities demands efficient communication of coincident detections and better subsequent coordination among the scientific community so as to turn detections into scientific discoveries. To discuss the revolution occurring in our ability to monitor the Universe and the challenges it brings, on 2012 April 25-26 a group of scientists from observational and theoretical teams studying transients met with representatives of the major international transient observing facilities at the Kavli Royal Society International Centre, UK. This immediately followed the Royal Society Discussion meeting "New windows on transients across the Universe" held in London. Here we present a summary of the Kavli meeting at which the participants discussed the science goals common to the transient astronomy community and analysed how to better meet the challenges ahead as ever more powerful observational facilities come on stream.