Searching for the electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational wave events

Over the next few years it is expected that the advanced LIGO/VIRGO GW detectors will provide a multitude of detections. Many GW sources, such as merging neutron stars, should be accompanied by an electromagnetic signal. The project provides an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of the discoveries of electromagnetic counterparts to GW sources.

Located on the island of La Palma, GOTO will initially consist of four wide-field telescopes, to be expanded to eight telescopes over the next few years. When GOTO comes on-line by early 2017 it will immediately respond to GW triggers and hunt for a new optical transient source.

To provide a view of the night sky for comparison, GOTO will monitor the sky every night providing a unique, temporally-resolved view of the optical transient universe down to ~21 magnitude. At these depths, GOTO data will enable a unique study of many classes of extragalactic source, including Gamma-Ray Bursts, Supernovae, Tidal Disruption Events and Active Galactic Nuclei, as well as many sources within our own galaxy.

By joining the transient science group, I will have the opportunity to lead the analysis of GOTO and other facility data, discover new classes of object and participate in the development of new ground and space facilities.