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Originally Posted by janoskiss
They detect one of these every couple of weeks or so.
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Not quite, but hopefully in the future it will indeed be more regular, only time will tell. The second event was observed in the same 4 month observation run as the first event. And even a possible third event has been observed, but the signal to noise ration deemed to be to low.
The data coming out if the LIGO detectors are analysed for triggers almost in real-time. When a 'waveform', which represents a gravitational wave event, matches the time series, alarm bells will go off. Then human checks are performed to see if it is not an false alarm (slamming doors, wind, earth quakes etc). If all is good, then the time series on which the waveform had a nice fit will be further analysed (although the whole data set will be used for background noise characterisations).
Quote:
Originally Posted by janoskiss
The reason we don't hear about them is that the analysis takes so long and the scientists won't reveal anything until they are absolutely sure that it's the real deal and not noise or (pardon the pun) interference from other sources.
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That is correct, there is a rigorous procedure in place to make sure the event is real and not an artefact from the machine, anthropogenic or other terrestrial noise.
Then the analyses (e.g. Einsteins general relativity) will tell what the source of the event is all about (e.g. primary and secondary mass, their spin, final mass etc). This will take time as well.
Once all is satisfied the event will be reported to the scientific and general community.
Hopefully in the not to distant future some other than a black hole mergers will be observed
Especially something with a possible EM counter part such a neutron star - black hole merger.
