Can LIGO Detect Daylight Saving Time?
Abstract
Abstract Yes, it can. Catalogs produced by networks of gravitational-wave interferometers are subject to complicated selection effects, and the gold standard remains direct measurements of the detection probability through large injection campaigns. I leverage public data products from the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaborations’ third and fourth observing runs to show that there are nontrivial temporal variations within the detection probability that are well-described by a weekly cycle. There are clear differences between weekends and weekdays, between day and night (at the sites), and even between daylight saving time and standard time. I discuss possible causes for this behavior and implications.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Publisher
- American Astronomical Society
- Volume
- 997
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 76–76
- Publication date
- 14 January 2026
- Language
- EN