The inverse problem for pulsating neutron stars: a 'fingerprint analysis' for the supranuclear equation of state

We study the problem of detecting, and inferring astrophysical information from, gravitational waves from a pulsating neutron star. We show that the f luid f and p modes, as well as the gravitational-wave w modes, may be detec table from sources in our own Galaxy, and investigate how accurately the fr equencies and damping rates of these modes can be inferred from a noisy gra vitational-wave data stream. Based on the conclusions of this discussion we propose a strategy for revealing the supranuclear equation of state using the neutron star fingerprints: the observed frequencies of an f and a p mod e. We also discuss how well the source can be located in the sky using obse rvations with several detectors.