Physics Colloquium: Lessons from the first gravitational wave detection of a neutron star merger

Abstract: 

The first gravitational wave detection of a neutron star merger opened the era of multi-messenger gravitational wave-electromagnetic (GW-EM) astrophysics. It is a special event in many levels and its follow-up campaign is probably the largest coordinated observational effort dedicated to a single event ever. It offers an unprecedented data set, and although it is only a single event, it provided remarkable insights about fundamental physics and astrophysics and revolutionized our knowledge on neutron star mergers. In my talk, I will give an overview of the main lessons from this event.

Event Organizer: Dr. Iair Arcavi