LIGO & GRB 070201 - Ruling Out a Neutron Star Merger

[ShayanJ]

Here, you can find the paragraph below:

In February 2007, GRB 070201, a short gamma-ray burst, arrived at Earth from the direction of the Andromeda Galaxy, a nearby galaxy. The prevailing explanation of most short gamma-ray bursts is the merger of a neutron star with either a neutron star or black hole. LIGO reported a non-detection for GRB 070201, ruling out a merger at the distance of Andromeda with high confidence. Such a constraint is predicated on LIGO eventually demonstrating a direct detection of gravitational waves.

But I don't understand how a non-detection can mean the detection pf gravitational waves!
Anyone knows what's the point?
Thanks

 

[Matterwave]

Here, you can find the paragraph below:But I don't understand how a non-detection can mean the detection pf gravitational waves!
Anyone knows what's the point?
Thanks

I don't think that's what they are saying. LIGO did not detect any gravitational waves, therefore, the authors ruled out a neutron-star merger as a source for GRB 070201; however, in order for this conclusion to hold any water, LIGO has to prove that it CAN observe gravitational waves. LIGO has to, at some point, detect SOME gravitational waves before we can use this conclusion with confidence.

I'm not sure why you think this paragraph is saying a non-detection is a detection. It is not.

 

[ShayanJ]

Oh...Sorry...Looks like I had problem with the English!