Gravitational waves and pulsating stars: What can we learn from future observations?

TL;DR

This paper explores how future gravitational-wave observations of pulsating neutron stars can reveal their physical properties and constrain nuclear physics models.

Contribution

It demonstrates that gravitational-wave modes can be excited by external waves and discusses their potential observability and implications for neutron star parameters.

Findings

Gravitational-wave modes can be excited in neutron stars by external gravitational waves.

Simulations suggest these modes may be detectable with future detectors.

Observations could help estimate neutron star radius and mass.

Abstract

We present new results for pulsating stars in general relativity. First we show that the so-called gravitational-wave modes of a neutron star can be excited when a gravitational wave impinges on the star. Numerical simulations suggest that the modes may be astrophysically relevant, and we discuss whether they will be observable with future gravitational-wave detectors. We also discuss how such observations could lead to estimates of both the radius and the mass of a neutron star, and thus put constraints on the nuclear equation of state.