Numerical Relativity and the first Detection of Gravitational Waves

Abstract: For decades, both the gravitational wave and numerical relativity communities have worked to prepare for the era of gravitational wave astronomy. With the first observation of two black holes merging (GW150914), the new era of gravitational wave astronomy has begun. I will present the role that numerical relativity played in the unveiling of the gravitational wave sky and anticipate how it might improve our understanding of astrophysics.

 Dynamical friction and the evolution of Supermassive Black hole Binaries: the final hundred-parsec problem

ABSTRACT: Dynamical friction is a fundamental process in astrophysics and its understanding is arguably the most important contribution of Chandrasekhar to stellar dynamics. In this talk I will discuss the results of analytical models and N-body simulations that describe the evolution of a massive black hole binary due to dynamical friction. I will show that the standard Chandrasekhar's theory leads to erroneous conclusions about the evolution of the massive...