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Merging Black HolesThe final merger of two black holes is expected to be the strongest gravitational wave source for ground-based interferometers such as LIGO, VIRGO, and GEO600, as well as the space-based LISA. Observing these sources with gravitational wave detectors requires that we know the radiation waveforms they emit. And, when the black holes merge in the presence of gas and magnetic fields, various types of electromagnetic signals may also be produced. Since these mergers take place in regions of extreme gravity, we need to solve Einstein's equations of general relativity on a computer. For more than 30 years, scientists have tried to compute black hole mergers using the methods of numerical relativity. The resulting computer codes have been plagued by instabilities, causing them to crash well before the black holes in the binary could complete even a single orbit. Within the past few years, however, this situation has changed dramatically, with a series of remarkable breakthroughs. This talk will focus on new simulations that are revealing the dynamics and waveforms of binary black hole mergers, and their applications in gravitational wave detection, testing general relativity, and astrophysics.
Document ID
20090012398
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Centrella, John
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 24, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2009
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
APR09-2009-000098
Meeting Information
Meeting: Opening Ceremonies of the 2009 International Year of Astrononmy
Location: Colorago
Country: United States
Start Date: May 2, 2009
End Date: May 5, 2009
Sponsors: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASA 06-BEFS06-19
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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