Pi from the sky -- A null test of general relativity from a population of gravitational wave observations

2020/05/11 by C.‐J. Haster, Haster, Carl-Johan · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2005.05472

Abstract

Our understanding of observed Gravitational Waves (GWs) comes from matching data to known signal models describing General Relativity (GR). These models, expressed in the post-Newtonian formalism, contain the mathematical constant π. Allowing π to vary thus enables a strong, universal and generalisable null test of GR. From a population of 22 GW observations, we make an astrophysical measurement of π=3.115^+0.048_-0.088, and prefer GR as the correct theory of gravity with a Bayes factor of 321. We find the variable π test robust against simulated beyond-GR effects.

Cited by

• Tests of general relativity with binary black holes from the second LIGO-Virgo gravitational-wave transient catalog

Related

• Gravitational waves astronomy: the ultimate test for Einstein's General Relativity
• Strong field tests of gravity with electromagnetic and gravitational waves
• Tests of General Relativity and Fundamental Physics with Space-based Gravitational Wave Detectors
• Gravitational Wave for a pedestrian
• Interferometric detection of gravitational waves arising from extended theories of gravity