Institute for Advanced Study Informal Astrophysics Seminar

Multi-messenger astronomy coupling gravitational waves and light was born with the detection of the first neutron star merger, GW170817. This discovery signaled a wealth of firsts in physics and astronomy and represents only the tip of the iceberg of the discovery potential we can achieve in multi-messenger astronomy. In this talk, I will focus on two intriguing aspects of this event: the 500-day evolution of the afterglow across the electromagnetic spectrum, which provides unprecedented insight into the launching of relativistic material from these explosions, and its unique host galaxy environment in the context of short gamma-ray burst host galaxies. I will also informally discuss results from the first month of LIGO/Virgo’s 3rd Observing Run, and the bright future ahead for multi-messenger astronomy.