Prospects for joint GW and high-energy EM observations of BNS mergers

Abstract

With the recent detection of two transient gravitational wave (GW) signals by the Advanced LIGO interferometers the era of GW astronomy has begun. The two events, labeled GW150914 and GW151226, are both consistent with the inspiral and the merger of a binary system of black holes (BBH). Besides the merger of BBH systems, one of the most promising candidates for the direct GW detection is the coalescence of binary neutron stars (BNS) and black holes (NSBH). These mergers are thought to be connected with short Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs), but a definitive probe of this association is still missing. Combined observations of gravitational and electromagnetic (EM) signals from these events will provide a unique opportunity to unveil the progenitors of short GRBs and study the physics of compact objects. In particular, large field-of-view instruments such as Fermi will be crucial to observe the high-energy electromagnetic counterparts of transient gravitational wave signals and provide a robust identification based on a precise sky localization. We present the prospects for joint GW and high-energy EM observations of merging BNS systems with Advanced LIGO and Virgo and with Fermi.