Properties of the binary black hole merger GW150914

The LIGO Scientific Collaboration, Virgo Collaboration, I. W. Harry, D. Keitel, A. P. Lundgren, L. K. Nuttall, A. R. Williamson

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Abstract

On September 14, 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detected a gravitational-wave transient (GW150914); we characterise the properties of the source and its parameters. The data around the time of the event were analysed coherently across the LIGO network using a suite of accurate waveform models that describe gravitational waves from a compact binary system in general relativity. GW150914 was produced by a nearly equal mass binary black hole of 36+5−4M and 29+4−4M (for each parameter we report the median value and the range of the 90% credible interval). The dimensionless spin magnitude of the more massive black hole is bound to be 0.7 (at 90% probability). The luminosity distance to the source is 410+160−180 Mpc, corresponding to a redshift 0.09+0.03−0.04 assuming standard cosmology. The source location is constrained to an annulus section of 590 deg2, primarily in the southern hemisphere. The binary merges into a black hole of 62+4−4M and spin 0.67+0.05−0.07. This black hole is significantly more massive than any other known in the stellar-mass regime.
Original languageEnglish
Article number241102
Number of pages19
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume116
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jun 2016

Keywords

  • gr-qc
  • astro-ph.HE
  • RCUK
  • STFC

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