LIGO - Virgo & the Promise of Multi-Messenger Observations

Explore the groundbreaking field of multi-messenger astronomy in this 37-minute plenary talk by Laura Cadonati from LIGO/Virgo. Delve into the revolutionary discoveries of gravitational wave events GW150419 and GW170817, marking the beginning of a new era in Physics and Astronomy. Learn how the combination of gravitational waves, photons, and neutrinos provides a multi-sensory vision of the universe, unveiling previously unseen celestial bodies and shedding light on the universe's origins and evolution. Discover the potential of multi-messenger observations involving gravitational waves, using current and future detectors over the next few decades. Gain insights into what this combined data can reveal about our universe, including the detection methods, localization techniques, and prospects for future observations. Explore topics such as ripples in space-time, the ingredients for multi-messenger astrophysics, and the roadmap for second and third-generation detectors, offering a comprehensive overview of this exciting frontier in astrophysics.