The inverse problem for pulsating neutron stars: A “fingerprint analysis” for the supranuclear equation of state

We study the problem of detecting, and infering astrophysical information from, gravitational waves from a pulsating neutron star. We show that the fluid f and p-modes, as well as the gravitational-wave w-modes may be detectable from sources in our own galaxy, and investigate how accurately the frequencies and damping rates of these modes can be infered from a noisy gravitational-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-mode. We also discuss how well the source can be located in the sky using observations with several detectors.