Echoes from the Abyss: The Holiday Edition!

TL;DR

This paper discusses the tentative detection of gravitational wave echoes near black hole horizons, addresses criticisms of previous statistical methods, and emphasizes the importance of independent verification with more data.

Contribution

It defends the original tentative detection of echoes against methodological criticisms and highlights the need for independent reproduction of results.

Findings

Tentative 3-sigma evidence for gravitational wave echoes.

Criticisms of statistical methodology are addressed and deemed not to invalidate conclusions.

Emphasizes the importance of independent verification with additional data.

Abstract

In a recent paper (arXiv:1612.00266), we reported the results of the first search for echoes from Planck-scale modifications of general relativity near black hole event horizons using the public data release by the Advanced LIGO gravitational wave observatory. While we found tentative evidence (at $\simeq 3 \sigma$ level) for the presence of these echoes, our statistical methodology was challenged by Ashton, et al. (arXiv:1612.05625), just in time for the holidays! In this short note, we briefly address these criticisms, arguing that they either do not affect our conclusion or change its significance by $\lesssim 0.3\sigma$. The real test will be whether our finding can be reproduced by independent groups using independent methodologies (and ultimately more data).