Multi-messenger Astrophysics
Published on:
August 02, 2019
Abstract
Most astronomy observations are made by sensing light in a variety of wavelength bands, but a growing suite of sensitive detectors are opening up our ability to detect different astrophysical "messengers", namely neutrinos, ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, and gravitational waves. Detecting these different emissions from the same astrophysical event gives us complementary information and can provide novel insights into source objects, physical processes such as relativistic jet formation, and fundamental tests of gravity and nuclear astrophysics. In this article, I outline the promise and also the challenges of multi-messenger astronomy and astrophysics. I then illustrate a range of current multi-messenger research efforts with highlights from presentations given by various speakers in ICHEP2018 parallel sessions, and I also mention the case of the blazar TXS 0506+056. Finally, I relate some of the findings from the binary neutron star merger GW170817 that was detected by the LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors and by gamma-ray instruments in orbit, and subsequently studied in great detail by astronomers and instruments around the world.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22323/1.340.0695
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