Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-06-15
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.389:L43-L46, 2008
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
4 pages, 4 figures, accepted by MNRAS with minor revisions
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1745-3933.2008.00518.x
We constrain the uncertainty in waiting times for detecting the first double-neutron-star (DNS) mergers by gravitational wave observatories. By accounting for the Poisson fluctuations in the rate density of DNS mergers and galaxy space density inhomogeneity in the local Universe, we define a detection `zone' as a region in a parameter space constrained by the double neutron star merger rate and two LIGO operations parameters: an observation horizon distance and science run duration. Assuming a mean rate of about 80 DNS mergers per Milky Way galaxy Myr^{-1}, we find a 1/20 chance of observing a merger by Enhanced LIGO in only 1 yr of observation. The minimum waiting time and temporal zone width for an Advanced LIGO sensitivity are much shorter and imply that there is a 95% probability of detecting a DNS merger in less than 60 days and a 1/20 chance of a first detection in about 1 day. At the 5% probability threshold for a first detection, we find that the effect of galaxy clusters on detection is smoothed out and may only influence detection rates after 5-10 years observation time.
No associations
LandOfFree
Observation time to first detection of double neutron star mergers by gravitational wave observatories does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Observation time to first detection of double neutron star mergers by gravitational wave observatories, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observation time to first detection of double neutron star mergers by gravitational wave observatories will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-258248