Gravitational wave astronomy with radio galaxy surveys

TL;DR

This paper explores how upcoming radio galaxy surveys and gravitational wave maps can be combined to enhance our understanding of the universe, including probing dark energy, black hole progenitors, and stochastic GW backgrounds.

Contribution

It demonstrates the potential of cross-correlating radio galaxy surveys with GW maps to extract new cosmological information and assesses the observational requirements for detecting these effects.

Findings

Galaxy-GW cross-correlation can yield valuable cosmological insights soon.

Detection of GW effects on large-scale structure requires more advanced instruments.

Combining galaxy surveys with GW data enhances gravitational wave astronomy.

Abstract

In the next decade, new astrophysical instruments will deliver the first large-scale maps of gravitational waves and radio sources. Therefore, it is timely to investigate the possibility to combine them to provide new and complementary ways to study the Universe. Using simulated catalogues appropriate to the planned surveys, it is possible to predict measurements of the cross-correlation between radio sources and GW maps and the effects of a stochastic gravitational wave background on galaxy maps. Effects of GWs on the large scale structure of the Universe can be used to investigate the nature of the progenitors of merging BHs, the validity of Einstein's General Relativity, models for dark energy, and detect a stochastic background of GW. The results obtained show that the galaxy-GW cross-correlation can provide useful information in the near future, while the detection of tensor perturbation effects on the LSS will require instruments with capabilities beyond the currently planned next generation of radio arrays. Nevertheless, any information from the combination of galaxy surveys with GW maps will help provide additional information for the newly born gravitational wave astronomy.