BWhat changed
A Bayesian reanalysis of the GW170817 gravitational-wave signal constrained the binary tidal deformability and inferred an approximately common neutron-star radius. Under a shared equation-of-state approximation, electromagnetic location and distance, and three mass priors, the authors reported radius posteriors centered near 10.8 km; their appended erratum corrected the comparison of models with and without the common-equation-of-state constraint.
Scientific scope
A Bayesian reanalysis of the GW170817 gravitational-wave signal constrained the binary tidal deformability and inferred an approximately common neutron-star radius. Under a shared equation-of-state approximation, electromagnetic location and distance, and three mass priors, the authors reported radius posteriors centered near 10.8 km; their appended erratum corrected the comparison of models with and without the common-equation-of-state constraint. The radius is a model-dependent inference from gravitational waves, not a direct image or a universal radius measurement. The analysis assumes approximately equal radii and a q⁶ deformability relation in the relevant mass range, a causal lower bound, low spins and a specific post-Newtonian waveform. The erratum withdraws the reported strong model preference: revised Bayes factors are of order unity, while the authors state their parameter estimates remain unchanged.
Evidence
The linked original works support the scoped statement and contribution attribution. WRS has not independently replayed experiments or reconstructed a full mathematical proof. The radius is a model-dependent inference from gravitational waves, not a direct image or a universal radius measurement. The analysis assumes approximately equal radii and a q⁶ deformability relation in the relevant mass range, a causal lower bound, low spins and a specific post-Newtonian waveform. The erratum withdraws the reported strong model preference: revised Bayes factors are of order unity, while the authors state their parameter estimates remain unchanged.
Contributors
- The named authors in the research record · SCIENCE: These are the listed authors of the cited contribution sources. Paper authorship does not quantify individual effort. An incomplete list is explicitly marked; same names are not automatically merged.
- Tidal Deformabilities and Radii of Neutron Stars from the Observation of GW170817, including Erratum
Provisional WRS assessment, edition 2026-10-28.1. Independent expert calibration is pending. This grade does not certify correctness or assign ownership.
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