Models BBH spin-orbit alignment as random walk on sphere, deriving exact distribution after n encounters and showing alignment survives several strong encounters before isotropy.
GWTC-5.0: Observations from the Second Part of the Fourth LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Observing Run and Updates to the Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog
3 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
abstract
Version 5.0 of the Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog (GWTC-5.0) adds new candidates detected by the LIGO Virgo KAGRA network of observatories through the second part of the fourth observing run (O4b: 2024 April 10 15:00:00 to 2025 January 28 17:00:00 UTC) and four days of the preceding engineering run (2024 April 6 to 2024 April 10). We find 161 compact binary coalescence candidates that are identified by at least one of our search algorithms with a probability of astrophysical origin $p_\mathrm{astro} \geq 0.5$ and that are not vetoed during event validation. We also provide detailed source property measurements for 104 candidates that have a false-alarm rate < 1yr$^{-1}$. Based on the inferred component masses, all these candidates are consistent with signals from binary black holes. Median inferred component masses in the new candidates range from 5.14$M_\odot$ (GW241109_115924) to 70$M_\odot$ (GW241116_151753). Improvements in detector sensitivity allow us to observe compact binary coalescences with increasing clarity: 5 binary-black-hole signals have network signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 30, with a maximum to date of 76.9 for GW250114_082203. Such loud signals enable more precise studies of properties of their astrophysical sources and tests of general relativity. We also present updated results up to the first part of the fourth observing run, identifying 229 candidates. This brings the total number of transients in the cumulative GWTC having $p_\mathrm{astro} \geq 0.5$ to 390, further expanding the size of the catalog and our view of the gravitational-wave universe.
fields
astro-ph.HE 3years
2026 3verdicts
UNVERDICTED 3representative citing papers
Non-parametric analysis of GWTC-5.0 data supports multiple subpopulations of binary black holes distinguished by effective spin, with one aligned subpopulation suggesting dynamical formation.
A targeted gravitational-wave search modifies the GstLAL likelihood ratio with a sky localization prior from EM triggers, showing improved detection efficiency in injection studies while controlling false alarms.
citing papers explorer
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Getting Tilted: Random Walk of Binary Black Hole Spin-Orbit Alignment in Dense Star Clusters
Models BBH spin-orbit alignment as random walk on sphere, deriving exact distribution after n encounters and showing alignment survives several strong encounters before isotropy.
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When the black holes align: a subpopulation of aligned massive binary black holes observed via gravitational waves
Non-parametric analysis of GWTC-5.0 data supports multiple subpopulations of binary black holes distinguished by effective spin, with one aligned subpopulation suggesting dynamical formation.
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Fast targeted gravitational-wave followup search for compact binary mergers using GSTLAL pipeline
A targeted gravitational-wave search modifies the GstLAL likelihood ratio with a sky localization prior from EM triggers, showing improved detection efficiency in injection studies while controlling false alarms.