Volunteer Computing to Search the Sky for Continuous Gravitational Wave Emission

Explore the latest advancements in the search for continuous gravitational waves in this 59-minute lecture from APS Physics. Delve into the challenges of detecting these nearly monochromatic, long-lasting signals potentially emitted by fast-rotating non-axisymmetric neutron stars. Learn about the unique characteristics of continuous gravitational waves, including their significantly smaller amplitude compared to detected waves from compact binary coalescences. Discover how researchers integrate signals over extended periods to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. Examine the computational complexities of broad parameter searches for unknown galactic neutron stars, and understand why all-sky (or blind) searches for continuous waves are among the most computationally demanding gravitational wave searches. Gain insights into the most recent results from the Einstein@Home all-sky search using public O3 LIGO data, showcasing the power of volunteer computing in pushing the boundaries of astrophysical research.