Thunderstorms identification tool in LIGO

Document #:

LIGO-T2000602-v1

Document type:

T - Technical notes

Abstract:

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors are sensitive to noise from local environmental sources, such as thunderstorms. We developed a method to identify thunderclaps using feature extraction and machine learning algorithms. In combination with ground motion data, we identify thunderstorm segments. We tested the tool in LIGO-Livingston data and found that, during thunderstorms, this detector experienced losses up to approximately 15% in its sensitivity.

Files in Document:

• LIGO-T2000602-v1.pdf (571.8 kB)

Topics:

• Detector Characterization

Authors:

• Guillermo Valdes
• Brina Martinez
• Lee Capistran

Keywords:

thunderstorms acoustic machine-learning