Detection of Electromagnetic Counterparts to Gravitational Wave Events with DECam

Strategic Insights -

Research led by the Carnegie Mellon University has made significant findings in the detection of electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave events using the DECam survey. The study aimed to estimate the localization uncertainties and rates of gravitational wave detections, as well as optimize available telescope time to enable the detection of new kilonovae. The research simulated gravitational wave events assuming a data-driven distribution of binary parameters for the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA fourth and fifth observing runs.

The study revealed that the detection of BNS (binary neutron star) and NSBH (neutron star-black hole) mergers is expected to produce a hypermassive NS remnant, with a significant fraction of the remaining BNSs promptly collapsing to a black hole. The researchers also predicted that the majority of BNS detections will be accompanied by a detectable kilonova. The study provides updated GW BNS (NSBH) merger detection rates, with an expected detection rate of 0-2.0 (0) per year in O4 and 2.0-19 (0-1.0) per year in O5.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research simulated gravitational wave events assuming a data-driven distribution of binary parameters for the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA fourth and fifth observing runs.
  • The study aimed to estimate the localization uncertainties and rates of gravitational wave detections, as well as optimize available telescope time to enable the detection of new kilonovae.
  • The detection of BNS and NSBH mergers is expected to produce a hypermassive NS remnant, with a significant fraction of the remaining BNSs promptly collapsing to a black hole.
  • The researchers predicted that the majority of BNS detections will be accompanied by a detectable kilonova.
  • The study provides updated GW BNS (NSBH) merger detection rates, with an expected detection rate of 0-2.0 (0) per year in O4 and 2.0-19 (0-1.0) per year in O5.
  • The research provides predictions for the detection of kilonovae with DECam, with an expected rate of 0-2.0 (0) per year in O4 and 2.0-19 (0-1.0) per year in O5.

Statistics:

  • The expected detection rate of BNS (NSBH) kilonovae with DECam is 2.0-19 (0-1.0) per year in O5.
  • The expected detection rate of BNS kilonovae with DECam is 0-2.0 (0) per year in O4.
  • The study predicts that the majority of BNS detections will be accompanied by a detectable kilonova.
  • The expected detection rate of BNS (NSBH) mergers is 2.0-19 (0-1.0) per year in O5.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University Detail Findings in Electronics (Detecting Electromagnetic Counterparts to LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA Gravitational-wave Events with DECam: Neutron Star Mergers). Physics Week. November 4, 2025; p 382.
  • The Astrophysical Journal, 2025, 993(1):15.
  • Detecting Electromagnetic Counterparts to LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA Gravitational-wave Events with DECam: Neutron Star Mergers. (The Astrophysical Journal, 2025).
  • IOP Publishing.