Capturing the electromagnetic counterparts of binary neutron star mergers through low latency gravitational wave triggers

Understand

We investigate the prospects for joint low-latency gravitational wave (GW) detection and prompt electromagnetic (EM) follow-up observations of coalescing binary neutron stars (BNSs).

• For BNS mergers associated with short duration gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs), we for the first time evaluate the feasibility of rapid EM follow-ups to capture the prompt emission, early engine activity or reveal any potential by-products such as magnetars or fast radio bursts.
• To achieve our goal, we first simulate a population of coalescing BNSs using realistic distributions of source parameters and estimate the detectability and localisation efficiency at different times before merger.
• We then use a selection of facilities with GW follow-up agreements in place, from low-frequency radio to high energy $\gamma$-ray to assess the prospects of prompt follow-up.