LIGO data analysis

Gravitational waves promise to provide new information about massive astrophysical objects in the universe. Technological advances and engineering experience have finally made it feasible to construct detectors with sufficient sensitivity to detect the extremely weak waves which are believed to reach Earth. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) project has constructed two “observatories” in the United States which are poised to begin collecting scientifically interesting data. The LIGO Data Analysis System has been designed to support various types of scientific analysis to be performed using this data; its components include an interface to the raw data archive, a “Beowulf” cluster of PCs for parallel processing, and a database to store data analysis products. Attention has also been paid to the deployment of client interface programs and utility software to scientists throughout the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.