ELTE Gravitational-wave and Cosmology Research Group

RESEARCH TOPIC

According to Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, gravitational waves (GWs) are wavelike distortions in the fabric of space-time created by moving masses, and propagating at the speed of light. Although there had been several experimental attempts throughout the 20th century to detect GWs, the first direct detection was achieved in September 2015 by the LIGO-Virgo Collaboration (LVC) using the two LIGO detectors. As members of the LVC since 2007, we had the privilege of being involved in and contributing to this major scientific achievement. The ongoing common detections of GW signals not only allow testing Einstein’s general relativity under various conditions in the strong field regime, but they also revolutionize astronomical observations by providing a new and previously unaccessible window to the universe.

As the Hungarian LIGO group at Eötvös Loránd University, we work on various research projects that support GW observations, from advancing the scientific understanding of astrophysical sources of GWs, to developing algorithms that can identify or reconstruct signals in the noisy outputs of GW detectors, and to optimizing the performances of future GW detector networks. One of the greatest potentials for scientific discoveries is in the field of multi-messenger astronomy, where a network of GW detectors provide triggers for electromagnetic (EM) follow-up observations of sky-localized GW source candidates. Our LIGO group supports the EM follow-up observations both by providing a value-added all-sky catalog of galaxies optimized for identifying host galaxy candidates, and by incorporating GW source models in the complex optimization of target selections and observing strategies. 

Additionally, we participate in the standard siren measurements of the cosmological Hubble-constant, which is a pioneering effort in the new field of gravitational-wave cosmology, and one of the main science goals of the LIGO project. In the face of the currently growing tension between the early- and late-universe determinations of the Hubble-constant, we also use our professional skills and experience to come up with novel ideas and develop new models in cosmology that may lead to a better understanding of the complex history of our universe.

MEMBERS

CONTACT

Webpage of the research group: ligo.elte.hu; egrg.elte.hu