Gravity's light in the shadow of the Moon

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical possibility of detecting electromagnetic radiation generated by gravitational waves in space, proposing a lunar satellite experiment to observe signals from Betelgeuse's supernova event.

Contribution

It introduces a novel concept of vacuum-produced electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational waves and suggests a lunar orbiting satellite setup for their detection.

Findings

Theoretical feasibility of electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational waves.

Proposal for lunar satellite detection method.

Potential to observe signals from Betelgeuse supernova.

Abstract

In this essay we look at the possibility of vacuum production of very low frequency electromagnetic radiation from a gravitational wave background (i.e. gravity's light). We also propose that this counterpart electromagnetic radiation should be detectable by a lunar orbiting satellite which is periodically occulted by the Moon (i.e. in the shadow of the Moon). For concreteness we consider the possibility of detection of both the gravitational wave and hypothesized electromagnetic radiation counterpart from the supernova core collapse of Betelgeuse.