Linking optical and infrared observations with gravitational wave sources through variability

Understand

Optical and infrared observations have thus far detected more celestial cataclysms than have been seen in gravity waves (GW).

• This argues that we should search for gravity wave signatures that correspond to flux variability seen at optical wavelengths, at precisely known positions.
• There is an unknown time delay between the optical and gravitational transient, but knowing the source location precisely specifies the corresponding time delays across the gravitational antenna network as a function of the GW-to-optical arrival time difference.
• Optical searches should detect virtually all supernovae that are plausible gravitational radiation sources.