Physics and Astrophysics with Nanohertz Gravitational Waves

Abstract:

Pulsar timing array experiments around the world have recently published the first evidence of nanohertz gravitational waves in the form of a stochastic gravitational wave background. This discovery opens another window on the gravitational wave universe that we can use to study a variety of astrophysical and cosmological sources, as well as perform tests of gravity. Pulsar timing arrays search for gravitational waves by looking for interpulsar correlations in the timing residuals of a collection of millisecond pulsars. In this talk, I will discuss how pulsar timing arrays work, what sources we expect to find emitting nanohertz gravitational waves and what we can learn about them, and how pulsar timing arrays can be used to perform tests of gravity.
 

Bio:

I am an astrophysicist using gravitational waves and electromagnetic observations to study supermassive black holes and compact objects. I am currently an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, where I work in the Center for Gravitation, Cosmology & Astrophysics. I am a member of NANOGrav and the IPTA.

My focus is on developing techniques for detecting gravitational waves with pulsar timing arrays, which use millisecond pulsars to measure fluctuations in spacetime produced by low-frequency gravitational waves. I am interested in both the gravitational wave background and individual supermassive binary black holes.

Learn More:

• About Sarah: https://sites.uwm.edu/vigeland/ 
• About her research: Research | Sarah J. Vigeland and her department's Astronomy, Gravitation & Cosmology Research: Astronomy, Gravitation & Cosmology Research – Physics & Astronomy
• About the Leonard E Parker Center for Gravitation, Cosmology & Astrophysics at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: https://cgca.uwm.edu/