Gravitational Waves from Supernovae

• formed when a moderately massive (> 1.4 solar masses) star collapses after it has burnt all its nuclear fuel.
• collapse itself is thought to be nearly axially symmetric, does not produce strong gravitational waves.
• however instabilities (bar modes) in the neutron fluid may deform the neutron star immediately after the collapse, producing stronger gravitational waves.
• very approximate theoretical predictions of gravitational waveforms from neutron star cores are available.
• typical expected parameters:
  • distortions of the order of 10^-22.
  • frequencies in Hz to kHz range.
  • durations of seconds to minutes.
• audio representation is here.