Prince Abstract

Gravitational Wave Astronomy from Space
Thomas Prince (Caltech)

Gravitational wave astronomy will be a new way of observing the universe and has tremendous potential for providing unique information on important questions in physics and astrophysics. I will first review the principles that make gravitational wave observations such a unique and important tool for astronomy. I will then discuss specific projects and missions, with particular emphasis on the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), a joint ESA-NASA space mission. To finish, I will briefly speculate on possible missions that may come after LISA, such as the Big Bang Observer (BBO).