Neutron star mergers, near and far

Abstract:  The discovery of the first neutron star merger, GW170817, signaled a wealth of firsts in physics and represents only the tip of the iceberg of the discovery potential we can achieve in multi-messenger astronomy. In this talk, I present X-ray, optical, and radio observations of GW170817 extending until 2 years after the merger. These observations provide deep insight into the geometry of the jet, energetics, and the merger's local environment. I then connect these observations to the existing population of cosmological short GRBs, demonstrating that the primary difference between the two populations is viewing angle. I also present deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging of GW170817, which allow us to place the first direct constraints on the dynamical formation of the neutron star binary progenitor. Finally, I will discuss results from LIGO/Virgo's 3rd Observing Run thus far, and the bright future ahead for multi-messenger astronomy.