Descrizione del progetto
Creare gli strumenti per il primo rilevamento di un buco nero supermassiccio binario
I buchi neri supermassicci, che si trovano al centro di galassie massicce, possono essere grandi come il nostro sistema solare, con masse miliardi di volte superiori a quella del nostro Sole. Poiché le galassie si sviluppano attraverso fusioni di galassie, due buchi neri supermassicci potrebbero formarne uno binario. Sebbene la loro esistenza sia stata prevista per la prima volta decenni fa, ancora non ne è stato confermato nessuno. Il progetto MMMonsters, finanziato dal CER, prevede di individuare il primo sfruttando l’astronomia multi-messaggero, una tecnica relativamente nuova che combina informazioni provenienti da diversi tipi di segnali rilevabili per aumentare la probabilità di scoperta, dati di qualità e quantità senza precedenti, nuovi strumenti di apprendimento automatico e un catalogo di dati elettromagnetici provenienti da 20 milioni di galassie.
Obiettivo
Supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs) are a natural outcome of galaxy mergers. They can be identified as quasars with periodic variability in time-domain surveys, or from strong gravitational waves (GWs) by Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTAs), making them exceptional multi-messenger sources. Despite their expected ubiquity, they have remained undetected, but upcoming data of unprecedented quantity and quality from the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) and increasingly more sensitive PTAs will bring these multi-messenger monsters (MMMonsters) within reach.
MMMonsters at the intersection of astronomy and data science is an ambitious program to deliver the first multi-messenger detection of a SMBHB. Leveraging existing time-domain data, we will improve SMBHB searches advancing our understanding of binary signals and quasar noise. For the first time, we will search for more complex and likely more common non-sinusoidal periodicity. Using the LSST Data Previews, I will develop novel machine learning tools to capitalize on the LSST dataset. With advance preparation, MMMonsters will be poised to reliably detect binaries in the first few LSST data releases, making the project extremely timely and impactful.
On the GW side, I will pave the way for the first PTA detection of an individually resolvable binary. I will build novel PTA detection pipelines that directly incorporate EM data, from a catalog of 20 million galaxies (which we will compile) including all the potential binary hosts. My approach will accelerate the first detection of a SMBHB and allow the subsequent identification of the binary host galaxy. I will forge the ultimate boost in binary detectability through the joint analysis of time- domain and PTA data in a multi-messenger data stream.
MMMonsters will establish strong EU leadership in time-domain astronomy and GW physics through groundbreaking results and by training early career scientists in the emerging field of multi-messenger astrophysics.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsIstituzione ospitante
70013 Irakleio
Grecia