"Looks" of gravitational wave emissions for an eclipsing ternary compact object?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter snorkack
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion explores the gravitational wave emissions from a tight eclipsing ternary system composed of compact objects, specifically black holes and neutron stars. Key questions include the effects of gravitational lensing by a black hole on gravitational waves and whether these waves can be absorbed or diffracted by the compact objects. The conversation also addresses the potential differences in behavior between black holes and neutron stars regarding gravitational wave interactions, particularly concerning absorption and scattering. The insights provided serve as a thought experiment for understanding complex astrophysical phenomena.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational wave physics
  • Familiarity with black hole and neutron star properties
  • Knowledge of gravitational lensing concepts
  • Basic principles of wave diffraction and interference
NEXT STEPS
  • Research gravitational wave interactions with compact objects
  • Study the effects of gravitational lensing on wave propagation
  • Explore the differences in gravitational wave behavior between black holes and neutron stars
  • Investigate the implications of neutron star densities on gravitational wave attenuation
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students interested in gravitational wave research and the dynamics of compact astronomical objects.

snorkack
Messages
2,388
Reaction score
536
How would a tight (tight enough that the inner pair is "visible" as a source of gravitational waves) eclipsing ternary system of compact objects (all three being black holes or neutron stars) "look" like in gravitational waves?
Even if it is unlikely to happen in real astronomy (I can see some reasons why it might be unlikely), it should be legitimate as a thought experiment.
For non-compact triply eclipsing stars, see:
https://www.azoquantum.com/News.aspx?newsID=10522
with a quote:
Study Co-Author Tamás Borkovits, a Senior Research Fellow at the Baja Observatory of The University of Szeged in Hungary, added, “Before scientists discovered triply eclipsing triple star systems, we didn’t expect them to be out there.
So about the compact ones...
When a black hole passes in front of a background gravitational wave source, would it cause gravitational lensing of the gravitational waves?
Would the gravitational waves that encounter the event horizon of a black hole be absorbed by the black hole just like light?
Depending on the size of the third hole vs. orbital size of the pair, the wavelength of the gravitational waves could be bigger than the third hole. Can the gravitational waves diffract off the gravitational lens of the third hole? Can the waves passing the lens by different paths undergo interference?
If the third compact object is a neutron star rather than black hole, can gravitational waves pass through the centre of the black hole like they do not pass the event horizon? Would the gravitational waves interact with gravitational lens alone, or at neutron star densities, would there be any noticeable attenuation of gravitational waves by matter (absorption or scattering)?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
snorkack said:
If the third compact object is a neutron star rather than black hole, can gravitational waves pass through the centre of the black hole like they do not pass the event horizon?
Missed to correct it - centre of the neutron star. A neutron star should be a fairly strong gravitational lens, like the outskirts of a black hole - but the neutron star interior might have the waves passing directly through the interior, while black hole event horizon might absorb gravitational waves.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K