# Astrophysics with the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

**Authors:** Pau Amaro-Seoane, Jeff Andrews, Manuel Arca Sedda, Abbas Askar, Razvan Balasov, Imre Bartos, Simone S. Bavera, Jillian Bellovary, Christopher P. L. Berry, Emanuele Berti, Stefano Bianchi, Laura Blecha, Stéphane Blondin, Tamara Bogdanović, Samuel Boissier, Matteo Bonetti, Silvia Bonoli, Elisa Bortolas, Katie Breivik, Pedro R. Capelo  
**arXiv:** [2203.06016](https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.06016)  
**Date:** 2022-03-11  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2203.06016v1/

## Key points

- The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will revolutionize gravitational wave astronomy
- LISA will provide unique opportunities to answer key astrophysical questions in a novel way
- LISA's synergy with ground-based and other space-based instruments will enable multi-messenger observations, adding to its discovery potential
- The next decade is crucial for preparing the astrophysical community for LISA's first observations
- A comprehensive review has been conducted on astrophysical theory, numerical simulations, and astronomical observations instrumental for modeling and interpreting the upcoming LISA datastream
- The review focuses on three main source classes: ultra-compact stellar-mass binaries, massive black hole binaries, and extreme or intermediate mass ratio inspirals
- Relevant astrophysical processes and established modeling techniques have been summarized
- Open issues and gaps in understanding these sources have been highlighted along with an indication of how LISA could help make progress in different areas
- New research avenues that LISA itself or its joint exploitation with studies in the electromagnetic domain will enable have also been illustrated
- Improvements in modeling and analysis approaches such as combining numerical simulations with modern data science techniques have been discussed
- This review serves as a starting point for using LISA as a new discovery tool for understanding our Universe.

## Summary

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is set to revolutionize gravitational wave astronomy by providing unique opportunities to answer key astrophysical questions in a completely novel way. The synergy with ground-based and other space-based instruments in the electromagnetic domain, by enabling multi-messenger observations, will add further to the discovery potential of LISA. The next decade is crucial for preparing the astrophysical community for LISA's first observations. To this end, a comprehensive review has been conducted on the extensive landscape of astrophysical theory, numerical simulations, and astronomical observations that are instrumental for modeling and interpreting the upcoming LISA datastream. This review focuses on three main source classes for LISA: ultra-compact stellar-mass binaries, massive black hole binaries, and extreme or intermediate mass ratio inspirals. The relevant astrophysical processes and established modeling techniques have been summarized. Additionally, open issues and gaps in our understanding of these sources have been highlighted along with an indication of how LISA could help make progress in different areas. New research avenues that LISA itself or its joint exploitation with studies in the electromagnetic domain will enable have also been illustrated. Improvements in modeling and analysis approaches such as combining numerical simulations with modern data science techniques have been discussed. This review serves as a starting point for using LISA as a new discovery tool for understanding our Universe.