Exploring Hierarchical Merger Scenarios for GW241011 and GW241110
- 1University of Science and Technology of China
- 2Guizhou University
Abstract
GW241011 and GW241110 are asymmetric binary black hole (BBH) mergers with rapidly spinning primaries, unequal component masses, and nonzero spin–orbit tilts, making them natural candidates for hierarchical mergers. We use a Bayesian framework to compare a fiducial first-generation (1G+1G) BBH population with second-generation plus first-generation (2G+1G) hierarchical merger models in star clusters and active galactic nucleus (AGN) disks. Both events favor the 2G+1G interpretation over the 1G+1G hypothesis, with ln B 1G + 1G 2G + 1G ≃ 6.5 –8.6 for GW241011 and ln B 1G + 1G 2G + 1G ≃ 3.0 –4.5 for GW241110, depending on the waveform model and assumed environment. The AGN disk models yield slightly larger evidence than the star cluster models, mainly due to their spin tilt distribution, but the data do not provide a decisive environmental classification. We further consider a third-generation plus first-generation (3G+1G) interpretation, but it is not robustly preferred over 2G+1G scenarios. Finally, we also search for optical counterparts by examining AGNs within the three-dimensional localization volumes using Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) forced photometry, and find one candidate source with a weak flare, which might be associated with the GW241110 event.
Related
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BibTeX
@article{he2026exploring,
title = {{Exploring Hierarchical Merger Scenarios for GW241011 and GW241110}},
author = {Lei He and Liang-Gui Zhu and Zheng-Yan Liu and Rui Niu and Chao Wei and Ken Chen and Wen Zhao},
journal = {The Astrophysical Journal},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3847/1538-4357/ae9f50},
url = {https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ae9f50},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Exploring Hierarchical Merger Scenarios for GW241011 and GW241110
AU - Lei He
AU - Liang-Gui Zhu
AU - Zheng-Yan Liu
AU - Rui Niu
AU - Chao Wei
AU - Ken Chen
AU - Wen Zhao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - The Astrophysical Journal
DO - 10.3847/1538-4357/ae9f50
UR - https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ae9f50
AB - GW241011 and GW241110 are asymmetric binary black hole (BBH) mergers with rapidly spinning primaries, unequal component masses, and nonzero spin–orbit tilts, making them natural candidates for hierarchical mergers. We use a Bayesian framework to compare a fiducial first-generation (1G+1G) BBH population with second-generation plus first-generation (2G+1G) hierarchical merger models in star clusters and active galactic nucleus (AGN) disks. Both events favor the 2G+1G interpretation over the 1G+1G hypothesis, with ln B 1G + 1G 2G + 1G ≃ 6.5 –8.6 for GW241011 and ln B 1G + 1G 2G + 1G ≃ 3.0 –4.5 for GW241110, depending on the waveform model and assumed environment. The AGN disk models yield slightly larger evidence than the star cluster models, mainly due to their spin tilt distribution, but the data do not provide a decisive environmental classification. We further consider a third-generation plus first-generation (3G+1G) interpretation, but it is not robustly preferred over 2G+1G scenarios. Finally, we also search for optical counterparts by examining AGNs within the three-dimensional localization volumes using Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) forced photometry, and find one candidate source with a weak flare, which might be associated with the GW241110 event.
SN - 0004-637X
SN - 1538-4357
ER -