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arXiv · 2201.03903

All-sky analysis of astrochronometric signals induced by gravitational waves

Sebastian Golat·Carlo R. Contaldi
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Abstract

We introduce a unified formalism to describe both timing and astrometric perturbations induced on astrophysical point sources by gravitational waves using a complex spin field on the sphere. This allows the use of spin-weighted spherical harmonics to analyse "astrochronometric" observables. This approach simplifies the interpretation and simulation of anisotropies induced in the observables by gravitational waves. It also allows a simplified derivation of angular cross-spectra of the observables and their relationship with generalised Hellings-Downs correlation functions. The spin-weighted formalism also allows an explicit connection between correlation components and the spin of gravitational wave polarisations and any presence of chirality. We also calculate expected signal-to-noise ratios for observables to compare the utility of timing and deflection observables.

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Sebastian Golat, Carlo R. Contaldi. 2022-01-11. All-sky analysis of astrochronometric signals induced by gravitational waves. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.105.063502

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