10 december 2008
Nikhef colloquium
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title : Gravitational waves from accreting neutron stars: why ignorance is not bliss.
speaker : Dr. Anna Watts (Astronomical Institute Anton Pannekoek University of Amsterdam)
date : Friday 12th December
place : Science Park Room Z011
time : 16:15
summary :
The gravitational waves emitted by neutron stars carry unique information about their structure and composition. Direct detection, however, is a formidable technical
challenge. In a recent study we quantified the hurdles facing searches for gravitational waves from the known accreting neutron stars, given the level of uncertainty that exists regarding spin and orbital parameters. The results were sobering. I will explain why this problem is still worth pursuing, and what can be done by astronomers, gravitational wave physicists and computational experts to resolve the difficulties. I will also present recent work that focuses on more optimistic emission scenarios, and discuss how upper limits might still set meaningful constraints on the astrophysics of accreting neutron stars. I will finish with a brief discussion of prospects for indirect detection of gravitational waves from these systems.