Web application for galaxy-targeted follow-up of electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave sources

TL;DR

This paper introduces a publicly accessible web tool that rapidly identifies and ranks galaxies for follow-up observations of gravitational wave events, aiding multi-messenger astronomy efforts.

Contribution

It presents a new web interface with a fast galaxy retrieval algorithm that scores and ranks galaxies based on gravitational wave data, improving follow-up efficiency.

Findings

Algorithm retrieves and ranks galaxies within minutes

Web application tested on past events with successful performance

Automated triggering during observing runs enhances follow-up speed

Abstract

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo Collaboration's Observing Run 3 has demanded the development of widely-applicable tools for gravitational wave follow-up. These tools must address the main challenges of the multi-messenger era, namely covering large localisation regions and quickly identifying decaying transients. To address these challenges, we present a public web interface to assist astronomers in conducting galaxy-targeted follow-up of gravitational wave events by offering a fast and public list of targets post-gravitational wave trigger. After a gravitational wave trigger, the back-end galaxy retrieval algorithm identifies and scores galaxies based on the LIGO and Virgo computed probabilities and properties of the galaxies taken from the Galaxy List for the Advanced Detector Era (GLADE) V2 galaxy catalogue. Within minutes, the user can retrieve, download, and limit ranked galaxy lists from the web application. The algorithm and website have been tested on past gravitational wave events, and execution times have been analysed. The algorithm is being triggered automatically during Observing Run 3 and its features will be extended if needed. The web application was developed using the Python based Flask web framework. The web application is freely available and publicly accessible at gwtool.watchertelescope.ie.