Early Direct Detection of Gravity Waves

Abstract

Recently, the possibility has emerged of an early detection of astrophysical gravity waves. In certain astronomical configurations, and through a new light-deflection effect, gravity waves can cause apparent shifts in stellar angular positions as large as $10^{-7}arcsec$. In these same configurations, the magnitude of the gravity-wave-induced time-delay effect can exceed $10^{-14}$. Both these figures lie just at present-day theoretical limits of detectability. For instance, cases are described where the very faint neutron-star gravity waves could soon become detectable. The detection meant here involves direct observations of the very wave-forms.