GW3 - Lisa Pathfinder and Space-Borne Gravitational Wave Detectors |
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Speaker |
Conklin, John |
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Coauthors |
for the NASA Gravitational Wave Science Interest Group |
| Talk Title |
Advancing LISA in the present and coming decades |
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Abstract |
Low frequency gravitational waves in the mHz range, which can only be observed from space, provide the richest science with the highest SNR of any gravitational wave detector. A space-based observatory will improve our understanding of the formation and growth of massive black holes, create a census of compact binary systems in the Milky Way, test general relativity in extreme conditions, and enable searches for new physics. LISA, by far the most mature concept for detecting gravitational waves from space, has consistently ranked as one of the United States' top priority large science missions, including in both of the two most recent astrophysics decadal surveys. In 2013, ESA selected the science theme “The Gravitational Universe” for its third large mission, L3, under the Cosmic Visions Program, with a planned launch date of 2034. NASA is currently planning to join with ESA on the L3 mission as a junior partner. This talk will present the ongoing technology development efforts for LISA in the U.S., as well as the various activities of the Gravitational Wave Science Interest Group, which are currently focused on preparation for the U.S. collaboration on ESA’s L3 mission and on the upcoming 2020 decadal survey. |
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