Session A01: Plenary: Physics and Multi-Messenger Astronomy

The Nuclear Physics of Multi-Messenger Astrophysics

Potential and observed multi-messenger signals such as gamma rays, neutrinos, and kilonovae arise from nuclear processes. Decoded properly, these signals provide unprecedented insight into astrophysical events and contribute to solving longstanding questions such as the origins of the heavy elements. However, their interpretation is subject to considerable uncertainties in the nuclear physics of dense matter and exotic nuclear species. Here we will explore the role of nuclear physics in shaping multi-messenger observables and highlight future opportunities, including those enabled by new radioactive beam facilities such as the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.   

Fundamental Physics When Gravity Waves and Light Shines

The recent gravitational wave observations of the collision of black holes and neutron stars have allowed us to pierce into the extreme gravity regime, where gravitational fields are unfathomably strong and wildly dynamical. Some of these observations can be combined with electromagnetic observations of the light emitted by both isolated neutron stars and merging neutron star binaries. Such multi-messenger observations encode a trove of information that is prime for the taking, including potential revelations about the validity of Einstein's theory and the nature of gravity and compact objects. In this talk, I will describe how we can use multi-messenger observations to put Einstein's theory to the test in the extreme gravity regime.   

Cosmology in the Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy

Multi-Messenger observations leverage the unique roles of each messenger to provide new insight into our universe. With successive upgrades to current facilities and the launch of new instruments, and hence a growing number of detections, we are prepared to address some fundamental questions in cosmology. In this talk, I will give an overview of the exciting opportunities that multimessenger observations will provide in cosmology, and discuss the path toward the main science targets.