Astro2020 Science White Paper: Populations of Black Holes in Binaries

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of studying black hole binaries for understanding gravitational waves, supernovae, and stellar evolution, highlighting current limitations and future prospects with improved observational capabilities.

Contribution

It discusses the need for larger, better-measured samples of black hole binaries and the potential advancements with upcoming X-ray and radio astronomy technologies.

Findings

Current sample sizes of black hole binaries are limited.

Improved observational capabilities will enable larger, more precise samples.

Better measurements will enhance understanding of black hole formation and evolution.

Abstract

Black holes in binary star systems are vital for understanding the process of pr oducing gravitational wave sources, understanding how supernovae work, and for p roviding fossil evidence for the high mass stars from earlier in the Universe. At the present time, sample sizes of these objects, and especially of black hole s in binaries, are quite limited. Furthermore, more precise measurements of the binary parameters are needed, as well. With improvements primarily in X-ray an d radio astronomy capabilities, it should be possible to build much larger sampl es of much better measured black hole binaries.