The rate of neutron star binary mergers in the universe - Minimal predictions for gravity wave detectors

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (502) References (33) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Rate of Neutron Star Binary Mergers in the Universe: Minimal Predictions for Gravity Wave Detectors Phinney, E. S. Abstract Of the many sources which gravitational wave observatories might see, merging neutron star binaries are the most predictable. Their waveforms at the observable frequencies are easy to calculate. And three systems which will merge in less than a Hubble time have already been observed as binary pulsars: two in the disk of the Galaxy, and one in a globular cluster. From the lifetimes and positions of these, a lower limit to the merger rate in the Galaxy and globular cluster system are inferred with confidence. Taking the merger rate in other galaxies to scale with the star formation rate, the merger rate expected in the local universe is computed. An ultraconservative lower limit to the rate gives three per year within 1 Gpc. The best estimate, still conservative in that it considers only systems like those already observed, gives three per year within 200 Mpc. An upper limit of three mergers per year within 23/h Mpc is set by the rate of Type Ib supernovae. The rates of black hole binary mergers and black hole-neutron star binary mergers are model-dependent, but could be comparable to the given rate of neutron-star binary mergers. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: October 1991 DOI: 10.1086/186163 Bibcode: 1991ApJ...380L..17P Keywords: Binary Stars; Black Holes (Astronomy); Globular Clusters; Gravity Waves; Neutron Stars; Universe; Computational Astrophysics; Milky Way Galaxy; Star Formation Rate; Astrophysics; BLACK HOLES; GRAVITATION; PULSARS; STARS: BINARIES; STARS: NEUTRON full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (4)

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