Data Handling and Analysis Infrastructure for the International Gravitational-Wave Observatory Network

About This Grant

This award supports research in relativity and relativistic astrophysics, addressing the priority areas of NSF's "Windows on the Universe" Big Idea. Gravitational waves and black holes are among the most dramatic predictions of Einstein's theory of General Relativity. The NSF's Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) has transformed our understanding of the universe by detecting gravitational waves from colliding black holes and neutron stars. As part of the International Gravitational-Wave Observatory Network (IGWN), LIGO provides an entirely new way to study the most extreme phenomena in the universe. The first direct observation of gravitational waves by LIGO in 2015 positioned the United States as a world leader in gravitational-wave science. Detecting weak gravitational-wave signals requires substantial computational infrastructure that spans astrophysical data analysis, detector and analysis middleware, software sustainability, and computational hardware support. This project addresses a critical challenge: sustaining and enhancing the computational infrastructure required to transform detector data into groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Gravitational-wave astronomy relies on the timely analysis of continuous data streams from the global network of detectors and the coordinated efforts of approximately 3,000 scientists. The computational needs are served by the IGWN Computing Grid, a distributed facility that provides the backbone enabling rapid discovery, real-time alerts to astronomers worldwide for follow-up observations, and the detailed studies that advance our understanding of black holes, neutron stars, and the fundamental nature of gravity itself. This project involves the development of cutting-edge signal processing and computational techniques with diverse applications beyond gravitational-wave science. It trains the next generation of scientists and engineers in advanced computational methods, directly supporting national STEM workforce development. The project also enhances international scientific cooperation while maintaining U.S. leadership in this transformative field. This award supports the skilled personnel who will continue to deliver the services, scalability, and reliability needed to sustain the scientific return from investments in the LIGO detectors. The primary goals of this project are: 1) to deliver the software infrastructure and services to support gravitational-wave astronomy with LIGO and its international partners; 2) to provide the cyber-infrastructure needed to bring gravitational-wave astronomy together with the broader astronomical community; and 3) to support open access to LIGO data for the scientific community and the public. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.