GW170817 Chirp (IMAGE)

Royal Astronomical Society

GW170817 Chirp

Caption

This is a graph showing data points from the LIGO gravitational wave observatory, plotting frequency against time. The GW170817 chirp in gravitational waves produced by the coalescence of two neutron stars is clearly visible as a sequence of dots in an ascending curve. After their merger, the gravitational-wave frequency declines for several seconds (see the line from 1843 to 1847 seconds), indicating a merged object with a decreasing spin rate. Van Putten and his team calculate that the chance of this being a false result is around 1 in 40,000.

Credit

LIGO / M.H.P.M van Putten & M. Della Valle

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