Optimized Statistical Approach for Comparing Multi-Messenger Neutron Star Data

Understand

The neutron star equation of state is now being constrained from a diverse set of multi-messenger data, including gravitational waves from binary neutron star mergers, X-ray observations of the neutron star radius, and many types of laboratory nuclear experiments.

• These measurements are often mapped to a common domain for comparison with one another or are used to constrain the predictions of theoretical equations of state.
• We explore here the statistical biases that can arise when such multi-messenger data are compared or combined across different domains.
• We find that placing Bayesian priors individually in each domain of measurement can lead to biased constraints.