Exclusive: We may have detected a new kind of gravitational wave | New Scientist
https://www.newscientist.com/...937-exclusive-we-may-have-detected-a-new-kind-of-gravitational-wave/
Have we detected a new flavour of gravitational wave? Speculation is swelling that researchers have spotted
the subtle warping of the fabric of space resulting from the cataclysmic collision of two neutron stars.
Now optical telescopes – including the Hubble Space Telescope – are scrambling to point at the source of the
possible wave: an elliptical galaxy hundreds of millions of light years away.
Over the weekend, astronomer J. Craig Wheeler of the University of Texas at Austin launched speculation over
a potential new LIGO detection by tweeting: “New LIGO. Source with optical counterpart. Blow your sox off!”
By optical counterpart, he probably means that astronomers could observe light emitted by the gravitational
wave source. This suggests the source is neutron stars as, unlike black holes, they can be seen in visible
wavelengths. LIGO researchers have long-anticipated this possibility, setting up partnerships with optical
observatories to rapidly follow-up on potential signals prior to formally announcing a discovery.
LIGO spokesperson David Shoemaker dodged confirming or denying the rumours, saying only “A very exciting O2
Observing run is drawing to a close August 25. We look forward to posting a top-level update at that time.”