Multi-messenger astrophysics

Abstract

Multi-messenger astrophysics, a long-anticipated extension to traditional and multiwavelength astronomy, has recently emerged as a distinct discipline providing unique and valuable insights into the properties and processes of the physical universe. These insights arise from the inherently complementary information carried by photons, gravitational waves, neutrinos, and cosmic rays about individual cosmic sources and source populations. Realizing the observation of astrophysical sources via non-photonic messengers has presented enormous challenges, as evidenced by the fiscal and physical scales of the multi-messenger observatories. However, the scientific payoff has already been substantial, with even greater rewards promised in the years ahead. In this review we survey the current status of multi-messenger astrophysics, highlighting some exciting recent results, and addressing the major follow-on questions they have raised. Key recent achievements include the measurement of the spectrum of ultra-high energy cosmic rays out to the highest observable energies; discovery of the diffuse high energy neutrino background; the first direct detections of gravitational waves and the use of gravitational waves to characterize merging black holes and neutron stars in strong-field gravity; and the identification of the first joint electromagnetic + gravitational wave and electromagnetic + high-energy neutrino multi-messenger sources. We then review the rationales for the next generation of multi-messenger observatories, and outline a vision of the most likely future directions for this exciting and rapidly advancing field.