Science Analysis Group

Multi-Messenger Astrophysics

Completed

The Multi-Messenger Astrophysics Science Analysis Group analyzed the potential scientific benefits of multi-messenger observations made possible by NASA observatories in the 2020 decade and beyond, working in conjunction with each other or with other ground and space-based instruments. MMA SAG was completed and final report delivered in 2020.

About

Events

Leadership

Documents

About MMA SAG

Combining Electromagnetic Radiation, Gravitational Wave Radiation, and Particle Astrophysics

The power of multi-messenger astrophysics was demonstrated in 2017 through the observation of a binary neutron star merger, the first astrophysical event observed in both the gravitational wave and electromagnetic spectra.

Multi-messenger astrophysics will remain an important tool for astronomers in the future as we combine electromagnetic radiation, gravitational wave radiation, and particle astrophysics observations of cosmic events. NASA's space observatories in the 2020 decade and beyond have an important role to play, including those that continue to operate in the 2020s, such as Hubble, Chandra, Swift, Fermi; those planned, including JWST, WFIRST, Athena, LISA, Explorers; and those considered by the 2020 astrophysics decadal committee.

This image depicts a gamma-ray burst caused by the merger of two neutron stars.

This image depicts phenomena observed over the course of nine days following the neutron star merger known as GW170817, detected on Aug. 17, 2017. They include gravitational waves (pale arcs), a near-light-speed jet that produced gamma rays (magenta), expanding debris from a kilonova that produced ultraviolet (violet), optical and infrared (blue-white to red) emission, and, once the jet directed toward us expanded into our view from Earth, X-rays (blue)..

Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/CI Lab

The Multi-Messenger Astrophysics Science Analysis Group analyzed the potential scientific benefits of multi-messenger observations made possible by NASA observatories in the 2020 decade and beyond, working in conjunction with each other or with other ground and space-based instruments.

MMA SAG Chairs

Name	Institution
John Conklin	University of Florida
John Tomsick	University of California, Berkeley
Suvi Gezari	University of Maryland

MMA SAG Team Organization

AGN, SMBH Binaries, EMRIs	Sarah Burke-Spolaor, co-lead	Bindu Rani, co-lead
NS+NS, NS+BH, WD-WD Binaries, GRBs	Eric Burns, co-lead	Colleen Wilson-Hodge, co-lead
Stellar Mass BH-BH Binaries	Peter Shawhan, co-lead	Saavik Ford, co-lead
FRBs, SNe Ia, SN Remnants	Geoff Clayton, lead

MMA SAG Events

Friday, 8 June 2018

Kick-Off Telecon

Time	Topic
12:00 Noon	Introduction and SAG Goals
	Brief Introduction of Co-Chairs
	Proposed organizational structure A. Teams organized by MMA source with representation from each of the relevant messengers B. One lead per team (volunteers needed!)
	Proposed Interaction Plan A. Monthly - Full MMA SAG Telecons B. Weekly - Source Team Telecons
	Open Discussion

MMA SAG Events

Meetings, Seminars, Conferences, Workshops, and other events

A galaxy cluster. The center of the cluster is bright white with short red jets that point toward the top right and bottom left, and several blue filaments that spread throughout the center. Outside the bright center is purple gas that is bright toward the center and dimmer further from the center. Yellow galaxies of various shapes and sizes are spread throughout the image.

HEAD 17 Meeting

17 – 21 March 2019