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Black-Hole Binaries, Gravitational Waves, and Numerical RelativityUnderstanding the predictions of general relativity for the dynamical interactions of two black holes has been a long-standing unsolved problem in theoretical physics. Black-hole mergers are monumental astrophysical events ' releasing tremendous amounts of energy in the form of gravitational radiation ' and are key sources for both ground- and spacebased gravitational wave detectors. The black-hole merger dynamics and the resulting gravitational waveforms can only he calculated through numerical simulations of Einstein's equations of general relativity. For many years, numerical relativists attempting to model these mergers encountered a host of problems, causing their codes to crash after just a fraction of a binary orbit cnuld be simulated. Recently ' however, a series of dramatic advances in numerical relativity has ' for the first time, allowed stable / robust black hole merger simulations. We chronicle this remarkable progress in the rapidly maturing field of numerical relativity, and the new understanding of black-hole binary dynamics that is emerging. We also discuss important applications of these fundamental physics results to astrophysics, to gravitationalwave astronomy, and in other areas.
Document ID
20100031073
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Kelly, Bernard J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Centrella, Joan
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Baker, John G.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kelly, Bernard J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
vanMeter, James R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2010
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG06EQ90A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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