MG11 
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Analytic solutions of the linearized Einstein equations used to test and develop a characteristic code

The characteristic, or Bondi-Sachs, approach to numerical relativity has many positive features, but it has not succeeded in computing the gravitational radiation emitted in a realistic astrophysical scenario. A new class of analytic solutions to the linearized Einstein equations for the Bondi-Sachs metric has been obtained. These solutions radiate indefinitely, and provide a more appropriate testbed than existing solutions that rapidly decay towards a static spacetime. The solutions are used to investigate the accuracy of different versions of the characteristic code, using (a) stereographic coordinates, and (b) six angular patches, with the aim of finding conditions under which the metric and gravitational radiation can be reliably computed.