Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-20-2026
Abstract
GW230814, detected by the LIGO Livingston observatory with a signal-to-noise ratio of 42.4, represents the loudest gravitational-wave signal in the GWTC-4.0 catalog. Its source is consistent with a binary black hole coalescence with component masses m1=33.7+2.9−2.2M⊙, m2=29.9+2.1−2.8M⊙, and a small effective inspiral spin χeff=−0.01+0.06−0.07. The high signal-to-noise ratio enabled us to detect an ℓ = ∣m∣ = 4 mode in the inspiral–merger–ringdown signal for the first time (with Bayes factor ≈10), as well as enabling a range of tests of consistency between theoretical predictions and the observed waveform. While most of these tests show agreement with theoretical predictions, there are suggestions of minor deviations in the ringdown phase. Simulations that incorporate general relativity and realistic detector noise reproduce similar deviations, suggesting that they do not constitute evidence for a breakdown of general relativity. The observation of GW230814 demonstrates that the unprecedented sensitivity of the detectors enables highly significant detections with a single observatory. However, without corroborating data from a multidetector network, the ability to draw rigorous conclusions about fundamental physics remains severely limited.
Recommended Citation
Abac, A. G., I. Abouelfettouh, F. Acernese, et al. “GW230814: Investigation of a Loud Gravitational-Wave Signal Observed with a Single Detector.” The Astrophysical Journal Letters 1004, no. 2 (2026): L23. https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ae2ad3.
Publication Title
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
DOI
10.3847/2041-8213/ae2ad3
Comments
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