Inferring the properties of astrophysical black holes from gravitational wave observations

by Walter Del Pozzo (School of Physics and Astronomy University of Birmingham)

Monday 20 Jun 2016, 14:00 → 16:00 Europe/Rome

Aula Conversi (Dipartimento di Fisica - Ed. G.Marconi)

The discovery of GW150914 opened the era of gravitational waves astronomy. The inference of the physical parameters of GW150914 allowed a first direct measurement of black holes masses, spins and a first test of the dynamics of space-time in its most extreme regime yet. In this talk, I will review the key aspects of the statistical methods necessary for the inference of the properties of astrophysical systems such as GW150914 and their extensions to perform tests of general relativity. Finally, I will discuss what we have learned from their application to GW150914.