Pulsar Timing Arrays (PTA) are galactic-scale low-frequency gravitational wave (GW) observatories. The primary source of gravitational radiation in this band is expected to come from a cosmic population of binary supermassive black holes (SMBHs) that form following galactic mergers. However, there are many open questions regarding the merger dynamics of binary SMBHs, and the relationship between a central black hole and its host galaxy. Using a new simulation, which explores a more fundamental relationship between host galaxies and the SMBHs that they host, I investigate open questions around amplitude of the GW background, and the stochastic nature of the signal, including the resolvability of discrete binaries in the PTA band.

Bio/link: https://www.colorado.edu/aps/joe-simon
NSF Astronomy & Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow
Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy
Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
University of Colorado Boulder