Gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime first predicted by Einstein, have opened a new window into the universe. From the collision of massive black holes to the merger of neutron stars, these waves allow us to probe some of the most extreme astrophysical events. In this seminar, I will start with an introduction to gravitational waves, including how they are generated and detected and what they can tell us about the universe. The second half will focus on recent research in neutron star mergers and their post-merger evolution. I will highlight how strong magnetic fields affect the gravitational wave signal and the role they play in driving the remnant’s dynamics and potential jet formation. I will also explore how these findings could inform future observations with next-generation gravitational wave detectors.
Join via Zoom: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/88159082678?pwd=x1YbUxR5U9HiC56ONa9QdPHGjhc8qw.1