Are All Four GW Detectors Currently Operational for Simultaneous Observing?

In summary: According to wikipedia the GEO600 and Virgo detectors are already operational. I would like to confirm whether as of now the 4 detectors(2 from LIGO,1 GEO and 1 VIRGO) are simultaneously fully operative.According to the websites the LIGO collaboration expects that the 4 detectors will be in a joint observing run in 2016. I would expect that if this is the case a much better precision in locating the sources of possible detections can be achieved than what was possible only with 2, but it is hard to know just by looking at the official pages if the 4 detector are currently in a joint observing run.The GEO600 detector is not sensitive enough to contribute notably (unless there
  • #1
RockyMarciano
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The second LIGO observational run started last year and according to Wikipedia the germany and italy based GWs detectors Geo600 and Virgo are already operational, I would like to confirm whether as of now the 4 detectors(2 from LIGO,1 GEO and 1 VIRGO) are simultaneously fully operative.
I would expect that if this is the case a much better precision in locating the sources of possible detections can be achieved than what was possible only with 2, but it is hard to know just by looking at the official pages if the 4 detector are currently in a joint observing run.
 
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  • #2
GEO is not sensitive enough to contribute notably (unless there is a really powerful signal), it is mainly used to test new technologies.

The websites are notoriously outdated. Virgo tells us that they will start taking data in 2016.
A recent letter from February 2017 expects "a few more months" of commissioning.
 
  • #3
Thanks for the info.
According to wikipedia Geo peak sensitivity is 2×10^-22, like ten times less sensitive than advanced Ligo(and close to Virgo) but enough to detect nearer or stronger signals. According to the page it is also in the joint observing run 02 and it was in 01 although apparently it wasn't sensitive enough to detect GW151226. In the first GW detection it didn't have the detectors connected as it was in engineering mode.

I'm not sure the Ligo-Virgo scientific collaboration policy of not frequently updating their websites is the best in a context of plummeting interest on GWs after the initial uproar. Oddly the letter linked seems to show some signs of unexplained distrust from the journal perceived by the collaboration.
 
  • #4
Not updating a website does not need an active decision - quite the opposite.
Various collaborations just don't have someone taking care of the website. It is not of large scientific interest, as the colleagues rely more on other communication channels.
 
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1. What are gravitational waves (GWs) and how do they work?

Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time caused by the acceleration of massive objects. They are predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity and can be thought of as the "waves" of gravity. GW detectors work by measuring tiny changes in the distance between two objects caused by passing gravitational waves.

2. How do current GW detectors work and what are their limitations?

Current GW detectors, such as LIGO and VIRGO, use interferometry to measure the tiny changes in distance caused by passing GWs. In this method, a laser beam is split and sent down two perpendicular arms, and then recombined to create an interference pattern. Any changes in the length of the arms will cause a change in the interference pattern, which can be measured. However, these detectors are limited in the range of frequencies they can detect and the sensitivity of their instruments.

3. What is the current status of GW detection and what advancements have been made?

GW detection is a rapidly advancing field. In 2015, the first direct detection of GWs was made by the LIGO collaboration, which opened up a new era of astronomy. Since then, advancements have been made in increasing the sensitivity of detectors, expanding the frequency range that can be detected, and developing new technologies for future detectors.

4. What are the potential applications of GW detection?

GW detection has many potential applications in astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. It can help us study the properties of black holes, neutron stars, and other exotic objects, as well as provide insights into the early universe and the nature of gravity itself. GW detectors can also be used to test and improve our understanding of general relativity and other theories of gravity.

5. What are the challenges in the future of GW detection?

One of the main challenges in GW detection is increasing the sensitivity of detectors to detect weaker signals. This requires advanced technologies and techniques to reduce sources of noise and improve the precision of measurements. Another challenge is expanding the frequency range that can be detected, as different sources of GWs emit at different frequencies. Additionally, international collaborations and funding will be crucial in the future of GW detection.

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