Date of Graduation
5-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Space & Planetary Sciences (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Space & Planetary Sciences
Advisor/Mentor
Kennefick, Julia D.
Committee Member
Kennefick, Daniel J.
Second Committee Member
Oliver, William F. III
Third Committee Member
Chevrier, Vincent F.
Keywords
astrodynamics; crab nebula; gravitational waves; neutron star kicks; neutron stars; supernovae
Abstract
Neutron stars have, on average, much higher proper motions than those of hot and bright O and B type main sequence stars. Thus, it is widely suspected that asymmetries in core-collapse supernovae provide a substantial kick to these compact objects at birth. Gen- eral Relativity predicts that such supernova asymmetries will generate bursts of gravitational radiation, though no such burst has been yet detected. Here we argue that the polarization amplitudes of those gravitational waves can be used to calculate the kicks imparted on that nascent neutron star. We begin by reviewing the evidence for natal kicks, then we describe the mechanisms for these kicks, then we connect the kicks with their gravitational wave emis- sions. We conclude with a sample calculation, demonstrating the amplitude of gravitational waves we should expect to see given the evidence in favor of the existence of natal kicks.
Citation
Phillips, J. (2025). Constraining Neutron Star Kicks through Gravitational Wave Detection. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5703
