LIGO detects no gravitational waves from gamma ray burst

In summary, on February 1, 2007, a short but intense outburst of energetic gamma rays was measured by the Konus-Wind, Integral, Messenger, and Swift gamma-ray satellites, originating from the Andromeda galaxy located 2.5 million light-years away. This type of burst is typically thought to come from the merger of two massive objects, but can also come from soft gamma-ray repeaters, which are less common and emit less energetic gamma rays. During this event, the gravitational-wave interferometers at the Hanford facility did not detect any gravitational waves, which was significant in itself. A soft gamma-ray repeater is a type of Magnetar, another cosmological oddity, and is not expected to produce
  • #1
SF
On February 1, 2007, the Konus-Wind, Integral, Messenger, and Swift gamma-ray satellites measured a short but intense outburst of energetic gamma rays originating in the direction of M31, the Andromeda galaxy, located 2.5 million light-years away. The majority of such short (less than two seconds in duration) gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are thought to emanate from the merger and coalescence of two massive but compact objects, such as neutron stars or black-hole systems. They can also come from astronomical objects known as soft gamma-ray repeaters, which are less common than binary coalescence events and emit less energetic gamma rays.

During the intense blast of gamma rays, known as GRB070201, the 4-km and 2-km gravitational-wave interferometers at the Hanford facility were in science mode and collecting data. They did not, however, measure any gravitational waves in the aftermath of the burst.

That non-detection was itself significant.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24501
 
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  • #2
Hi SF,

Very interesting! Can someone describe what a "soft gamma-ray repeater" is?

Jon
 
  • #3
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  • #4
I read this some time ago, no chance of GW from lightning i guess.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/071011-lightning-rays.html
 
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  • #5
wolram said:
I read this some time ago, no chance of GW from lightning i guess.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/071011-lightning-rays.html

Hm, that's very interesting but it seems like this couldn't explain the Feb 1 observation, since those were taken by satellites?
 
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  • #6
Oh no i just meant it as a way gamma rays can come from things that would not produce gravitational radiation.
 
  • #7
Oh, I see.
 

1. What is LIGO and how does it detect gravitational waves?

LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) is a scientific experiment designed to detect gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by massive celestial events, such as the collision of two black holes. LIGO uses two identical detectors, located in Louisiana and Washington, consisting of two 4-kilometer-long laser interferometers that measure minute changes in the distance between mirrors caused by passing gravitational waves.

2. What is a gamma ray burst and why are they important to study?

A gamma ray burst is a powerful burst of high-energy gamma rays that is emitted by some of the most energetic events in the universe, such as the collapse of a massive star or the merging of two neutron stars. They are important to study because they provide valuable information about the physical processes involved in these cataclysmic events and can also serve as powerful tools for studying the distant universe.

3. Why did LIGO not detect gravitational waves from the gamma ray burst?

LIGO is designed to detect gravitational waves in the frequency range of 10 Hz to 10 kHz, while gamma ray bursts typically emit gravitational waves in the higher frequency range of 10 kHz to 1 MHz. Therefore, it is possible that LIGO was not sensitive enough to detect the gravitational waves from this particular gamma ray burst.

4. Are there any other detectors that could potentially detect the gravitational waves from the gamma ray burst?

Yes, there are other detectors such as the European Space Agency's Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and the proposed space-based Gravitational-wave Observatory (GEO), which are designed to detect gravitational waves in the higher frequency range and could potentially detect the waves from a gamma ray burst.

5. What can we learn from the fact that LIGO did not detect gravitational waves from the gamma ray burst?

The fact that LIGO did not detect gravitational waves from this particular gamma ray burst provides valuable information about the properties of the burst itself, such as the frequency and strength of the gravitational waves emitted. It also helps to improve our understanding of the sensitivity of LIGO and other detectors, and can guide future improvements in their design to better detect and study gravitational waves from a variety of sources.

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