2023 Lunar GW Workshop

Merging Lunar Exploration with Multi-Messenger Revolution

October 4-6 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN

A picture of a stately brick building, sitting at the end of a footpath amid a lawn. The lighting is dusky, emphasizing the lights on in every window.

Introduction

We cordially invite the scientific community to Vanderbilt University's beautiful Alumni Hall, for an international meeting dedicated to conducting multi-messenger astrophysics from the surface of the Moon.

Register
A poster featuring text overlaid over a photo of a large lunar crater. The poster lists the hotel booking deadline as 3 September, and the registration and abstract submission deadlines as 14 September.

Meeting Rationale

The goal of this meeting is to explore the technology and science cases for developing gravitational-wave astronomy on the lunar surface. The discussion will seek to answer the following questions:

  • How can multi-messenger astrophysics (MMA) leverage the resources being directed toward lunar exploration?
  • What are the existing technologies that can enable GW measurement on the moon?
  • What are the unique science cases for MMA on the moon and how can they synergize with space and ground-based observatories?
  • What are the technical challenges of GW detection on the moon?

A first-of-its-kind meeting in the US, the 2023 Lunar GW Workshop aims to serve as a focal point for the international teams involved in lunar exploration and gravitational wave-projects.

Organizing Committees

Local Organizing Committee

  • Karan Jani
    (Vanderbilt Lunar Labs; Chair)
  • Robert Reed
    (Vanderbilt Institute for Space Defense & Electronics)
  • Kelly Holley-Bockelmann
    (Vanderbilt EMIT Program)
  • Kaitlin Porter
    (Vanderbilt Lunar Labs; Admin)

Scientific Organizing Committee

  • Karan Jani
    (Vanderbilt University; Chair)
  • Eleonora Capocasa
    (Université Paris Cité)
  • Kelly Holley-Bockelmann
    (Vanderbilt University)
  • Philippe Lognonné
    (Université Paris Cité)
  • Robert Reed
    (Vanderbilt University)
  • Simone Dell'Agnello
    (INFN-Frascati National Labs)
  • Stuart D. Bale
    (University of California, Berkeley)

Accommodation

Holiday Inn Vanderbilt

2613 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, United States

A photo of the Vanderbilt Stadium from the rear patio of the Holiday Inn Vanderbilt

Organizers have blocked off rooms at the Nashville-Vanderbilt Holiday Inn at a reduced rate ($199/night) and highly encourage participants to stay here.

Participants can make their reservation at the conference booking link here, or by calling the hotel and using the code PAS.

The hotel offers a free shuttle service within 2.5 miles of the hotel, including to the meeting venue. Interested participants should inquire at the front desk.

Book Your Room
  • King Bed
  • Outdoor Terrace facing Vanderbilt Stadium
  • Commodore Grille

Things to Do in Nashville

Known internationally as Music City, there is plenty to do in Nashville outside event hours! Most restaurants and pubs in the Broadway Historic District (10-15 minutes by car, 20 minutes by bus) have live music in the evenings seven days a week.

Broadway is also home to venues like the Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, Ascend Amphitheater, and the Schermerhorn Center, home to the Nashville Symphony. Current shows listed for the week of the concert include:

Fans of the outdoors can amble down from the workshop venue to Nashville's Centennial Park, which features an iconic full-scale replica of the Parthenon, mile-long walking trails, the Centennial Art Center and Herb Garden, and access to the shores of Lake Watauga.

Schedule

  • Day 1: Overview of Lunar GW Program, Panel Discussion with Agencies
  • Day 2: Science case of Lunar GW, Technology for Lunar GW Detector
  • Day-3: Engineering challenges, Community Engagement  

Participants

TBA