The goal of the Gravitational Wave Science Interest Group (GW SIG) is to provide quantitative metrics and assessments to NASA in preparation for a future gravitational wave mission. Specifically, the GW SIG will:
Track and analyze evolving science goals and requirements, especially as our understanding of three standard sources of gravitational waves (supermassive black hole binaries, extreme mass ratio inspirals, galactic binaries) continues to improve.
Support mission studies and concept development for future space-based gravitational wave observatories, including when cost savings are sought, or new classes of sources are under consideration (such as the stochastic gravitational wave background from the inflationary epoch).
Aid efforts to analyze technology development and prioritization plans as science goals are defined and mission concepts evolve within the PhysPAG portfolio.
Advocate for the brand new field of gravitational wave astronomy, build a vibrant community of gravitational wave astronomers, and promote the discovery space in this new field to the wider scientific community and to the public.
The GW SIG is open to all members of the community.
If you are interested in contributing to the work of the GW SIG, please subscribe using the link below. For other inquiries, e-mail co-Chairs Chiara Mingarelli (Univ. of Connecticut) at chiara.mingarelli@uconn.edu and Alessandra Corsi (Texas Tech) at Alessandra.Corsi@ttu.edu.
NASA Missions Study What May Be a 1-In-10,000-Year Gamma-ray Burst
On Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, a pulse of intense radiation swept through the solar system so exceptional that astronomers quickly dubbed it the BOAT – the brightest of all time. The source was a gamma-ray burst (GRB), the most powerful class of explosions in the universe. Read more.
