Gravitational Wave Detection and Compact Objects

Gravitational wave (GW) detection has marked a revolutionary advancement in both experimental and theoretical physics, highlighting new aspects and challenges in the study of the universe. The pioneering detections across different frequency bands, namely the tens of Hz range at terrestrial observatories and the nanoHz range via pulsar timing, have significantly broadened the scope of astrophysical exploration. These discoveries are linked to systems involving compact objects, usually black holes and/or neutron stars, but the involvement of white dwarfs or isolated compact objects that lack perfect spherical symmetry is possible, highlighting varied source dynamics and emission mechanisms.

This Research Topic aims to look closer at the intricacies of gravitational waves emitted by compact objects and their implications for both theory and observation. It seeks to improve understanding of the evolutionary patterns of these celestial bodies and improve predictive models for GW emissions. The goal is also to explore how these advancements can reciprocally enrich our knowledge of compact objects, leveraging the unique insights provided by GW detection.

To gather further insights in the context of multidisciplinary research, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Theoretical modeling and computational simulations of GW sources.
• Analysis of GW detection methods across different frequencies.
• Studies on multi-messenger signals from kilonova and similar events.
• Evolutionary dynamics of compact object binaries.
• Isolated compact objects as potential sources of gravitational waves.
• Tools for the detection of GWs.

This Research Topic invites a range of article types, including original research, reviews, and brief research reports, to foster a comprehensive understanding of the field.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Gravitational waves, Neutron star, Black hole, white dwarf, Compact object, Multi-Messenger Astronomy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.