Key components of LISA´s data analysis are the ability of creating high-fidelity waveforms for gravitational wave sources, having a well-understood signal simulator for the mission, and being able to extract the source parameters from the simulated signals. In so-called Mock LISA Data Challenges (MLDC) scientists already demonstrated the feasibility of LISA data analysis.
What are LISA Data Challenges (LDC)?
LDCs are based on blind challenges of increasing complexity – from a few sources in the first challenge to the full combination of all likely sources in the data stream in the most recent fourth challenge. Scientific research groups from all over the world developed, tested and implemented a wide variety of techniques. As a result a proof-of-concept for LISA data analysis is strongly tested and ready to go.
What will we learn from the Gravitational Universe?
Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time generated by some of the most powerful astrophysical events – such as exploding stars and collisions of two black holes at the centres of galaxies. Gravitational waves travel at the speed of light through the universe, unhindered by intervening mass – to gravitational waves the universe is transparent. That is why gravitational waves are the cosmic messengers that allow us to explore the so far dark side of the universe.