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arXiv · 1207.5645

Observing the dynamics of super-massive black hole binaries with Pulsar Timing Arrays

C. M. F. Mingarelli·K. Grover·T. Sidery·R. J. E. Smith·A. Vecchio
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Abstract

Pulsar Timing Arrays are a prime tool to study unexplored astrophysical regimes with gravitational waves. Here we show that the detection of gravitational radiation from individually resolvable super-massive black hole binary systems can yield direct information about the masses and spins of the black holes, provided that the gravitational-wave induced timing fluctuations both at the pulsar and at the Earth are detected. This in turn provides a map of the non-linear dynamics of the gravitational field and a new avenue to tackle open problems in astrophysics connected to the formation and evolution of super-massive black holes. We discuss the potential, the challenges and the limitations of these observations.

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C. M. F. Mingarelli, K. Grover, T. Sidery, R. J. E. Smith, A. Vecchio. 2012-07-24. Observing the dynamics of super-massive black hole binaries with Pulsar Timing Arrays. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.109.081104

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