Massive black hole binaries (MBHBs) with masses of 0.1-10 million Solar masses in low-redshift galaxies will be among the loudest sources of gravitational radiation at milli-Hz frequencies observable with the future Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). While the detection of such systems with LISA will be groundbreaking, we can learn a great deal more if we can also detect their electromagnetic (EM) counterparts. To help identify the counterpart, early warning from LISA on-the-fly parameter estimation will yield time-evolving constraints on sky localization, luminosity distance, chirp mass, and mass ratio. But developing strategies to pick out the EM counterpart from all the candidates in the multi-dimensional error volume of the gravitational wave source requires a detailed inventory of this volume and a systematic evaluation of the credentials of the astrophysical sources within it. With this in mind, I will review EM methods used to search for supermassive black holes, with an update on work in this area and emphasis on some of the challenges these methods may face when translated down to lower masses relevant for LISA. I will also discuss efforts to incorporate large-area astronomical surveys in this context in order to inform joint multi-messenger detections.

Astro Colloquium and 'coffee & cookies' department gathering (3:30-3:45pm)

Please join in 538 Davey or click the link to join: https://psu.zoom.us/j/96372770280