Abstract
The third observation run (O3) of LIGO and Virgo added 79 events to the list of known gravitational wave transients [1]. All detections to date are the result of mergers of compact binary objects such as pairs of black holes, pairs of neutron stars, or one of each. The increased rate of discovery with each successive observation run is due to the relentless pursuit of the reduction of noise in the network of km-scale interferometers, and the associated increase in accessible volume of space. In this talk we review the current state of detectors and detections, with a concentration on LIGO. We describe current upgrades which will lead to the O4 observation run by LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA in late 2022. Next generation ground-based interferometers such as Cosmic Explorer are introduced.
[1] GWTC-3: Compact Binary Coalescences Observed by LIGO and Virgo During the Second Part of the Third Observing Run,https://arxiv.org/abs/2111.03606