Astrophysical implications of the binary black hole merger GW150914

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dc.contributor.authorAbbott, B. P.
dc.contributor.authorDavies, G. S.
dc.contributor.authorLIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-06T09:44:58Z
dc.date.available2017-04-06T09:44:58Z
dc.date.issued2016-02
dc.description.abstractThe discovery of the gravitational-wave (GW) source GW150914 with the Advanced LIGO detectors provides the first observational evidence for the existence of binary black hole (BH) systems that inspiral and merge within the age of the universe. Such BH mergers have been predicted in two main types of formation models, involving isolated binaries in galactic fields or dynamical interactions in young and old dense stellar environments. The measured masses robustly demonstrate that relatively "heavy" BHs ( ) can form in nature. This discovery implies relatively weak massive-star winds and thus the formation of GW150914 in an environment with a metallicity lower than about 1/2 of the solar value. The rate of binary-BH (BBH) mergers inferred from the observation of GW150914 is consistent with the higher end of rate predictions ( Gpc−3 yr−1) from both types of formation models. The low measured redshift () of GW150914 and the low inferred metallicity of the stellar progenitor imply either BBH formation in a low-mass galaxy in the local universe and a prompt merger, or formation at high redshift with a time delay between formation and merger of several Gyr. This discovery motivates further studies of binary-BH formation astrophysics. It also has implications for future detections and studies by Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo, and GW detectors in space.en_UK
dc.identifier.citationAbbott, BP., et al., (LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration). (2016) Astrophysical implications of the binary black hole merger GW150914. Astrophysical Journal Letters, Volume 818, Issue 2, February 2016, Article number L22en_UK
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.3847/2041-8205/818/2/L22
dc.identifier.urihttp://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/11732
dc.publisherAmerican Astronomical Societyen_UK
dc.rights© 2016 American Astronomical Society. This is the publisher Version of Record Manuscript. Please refer to any applicable publisher terms of use.
dc.titleAstrophysical implications of the binary black hole merger GW150914en_UK
dc.typeArticleen_UK

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