Theoretical Challenges in Gravitational-Wave Astronomy

A colloquium lecture by Alessandra Buonanno from the Max Planck Institute exploring the theoretical challenges in gravitational-wave astronomy. Discover how analytical and numerical solutions to the relativistic two-body problem have been essential for detecting and interpreting nearly 100 gravitational waves from compact-object binaries. Learn about future experiments that will probe the universe at cosmic dawn, test our understanding of gravity, and reveal neutron star composition with unprecedented precision. The talk reviews key astrophysical, cosmological, and fundamental physics insights from current observations while highlighting their theoretical foundations. Explore the significant theoretical challenges requiring up to two orders of magnitude improvement in precision to correctly interpret the vast number of gravitational-wave observations expected from next-generation detectors like the Einstein Telescope, Cosmic Explorer, and the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA).