Electromagnetic follow-up of gravitational wave candidates: perspectives in INAF

TL;DR

This paper discusses strategies and activities for electromagnetic follow-up observations of gravitational wave events, emphasizing the importance of rapid, wide-field observations to identify EM counterparts within large sky localization areas.

Contribution

It presents the ongoing efforts of the INAF network to optimize rapid response and candidate identification for gravitational wave electromagnetic follow-ups.

Findings

INAF network aims for fast reaction to large error box triggers.

Wide-field cameras are crucial for EM counterpart identification.

Strategies are being developed for efficient EM follow-up of GW events.

Abstract

The electromagnetic (EM) emission associated with a gravitational wave (GW) signal is one of the main goal of future astronomy. Merger of neutron stars and/or black holes and core-collapse of massive stars are expected to cause rapid transient electromagnetic signals. The EM follow-up of GW signals will have to deal with large position uncertainties. The gravitational sky localization is expected to be tens to hundreds of square degrees. Wide-field cameras and rapid follow-up observations will be crucial to characterize the EM candidates for the first EM counterpart identification. We present some of the activities that we are currently carrying on to optimize the response of the INAF network of facilities to expected GW triggers. The INAF network will represent an efficient operational framework capable of fast reaction on large error box triggers and direct identification and characterization of the candidates.