Observational limit on gravitational waves from binary neutron stars in the galaxy

B. Allen, J. K. Blackburn, P. R. Brady, J. D.E. Creighton, T. Creighton, S. Droz, A. D. Gillespie, S. A. Hughes, S. Kawamura, T. T. Lyons, J. E. Mason, B. J. Owen, F. J. Raab, M. W. Regehr, B. S. Sathyaprakash, R. L. Savege, S. Whitcomb, A. G. Wiseman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using optimal matched filtering, we search 25 hours of data from the LIGO 40-m prototype laser interferometric gravitational-wave detector for gravitational-wave chirps emitted by coalescing binary systems within our Galaxy. This is the first test of this filtering technique on real interferometric data. An upper limit on the rate R of neutron star binary inspirals in our Galaxy is obtained: with 90% confidence, R < 0.5 h-1. Similar experiments with LIGO interferometers will provide constraints on the population of tight binary neutron star systems in the Universe.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1498-1501
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume83
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1999

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Observational limit on gravitational waves from binary neutron stars in the galaxy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this