Testing the Kerr hypothesis beyond the quadrupole with GW241011

TL;DR

This paper uses gravitational wave data from GW241011 to test the Kerr black hole hypothesis by measuring spin-induced multipole moments, finding no deviations and setting first constraints on octupole moments.

Contribution

It introduces a method to simultaneously test deviations in spin-induced quadrupole and octupole moments using gravitational wave observations.

Findings

No evidence for deviations from Kerr predictions.

First constraints on spin-induced octupole moments of binary components.

Complementary to ringdown phase tests of Kerr nature.

Abstract

All multipole moments of a Kerr black hole are uniquely determined by its mass and spin. Gravitational wave observations can test this prediction by measuring spin-induced multipole moments imprinted on the inspiral phase of compact binary mergers. In this Letter, we show that the recently reported compact binary coalescence GW241011 enables a simultaneous test of deviations in the spin-induced quadrupole and octupole moments of the binary components from their black hole values. We find no evidence for deviations from the Kerr prediction and place the first constraints on spin-induced octupole moments of the compact binary. This approach complements tests of the Kerr nature of compact binary merger remnants based on quasinormal mode measurements in the ringdown phase.