The search for an isotropic stochastic gravitational-wave background (GWB) in the 12.5-year pulsar timing data set collected by the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) has found strong evidence of a common stochastic process across many pulsars. Although not containing statistically significant correlations among different pulsars to be a GWB detection consistent with General Relativity’s prediction, this common process might be an early indication of existence of GWB signature in the future pulsar timing data.

Bio: Nima Laal and Jerry Sun are Physics graduate students working with Xavier Siemens in the OSU Physics Department.