Possible associated signal with GW150914 in the LIGO data

TL;DR

This paper introduces a simple method to detect weak signals associated with gravitational wave events, revealing a potential precursor signal to GW150914 in LIGO data with moderate significance.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel, straightforward approach for identifying weak, potentially related signals in gravitational wave data, highlighting a possible precursor to GW150914.

Findings

Detected a signal 10 minutes before GW150914 with 3.2σ significance

The signal lasts approximately 45 minutes

Subsequent tests suggest the signal is likely from external sources

Abstract

We present a simple method for the identification of weak signals associated with gravitational wave events. Its application reveals a signal with the same time lag as the GW150914 event in the released LIGO strain data with a significance around $3.2\sigma$. This signal starts about 10 minutes before GW150914 and lasts for about 45 minutes. Subsequent tests suggest that this signal is likely to be due to external sources.