(ed.). Gravitational waves (IOP, 2001)(422s).

80 Source calculationsand questions about the physics of neutron stars, not least the interaction ofmagnetic fields with the instability.7.3 ConclusionThese lectures (chapters 2 to 7) have taken us through the basic theory ofgravitational radiation and its applications in astrophysics, so far as we canunderstand and predict them now. In a few years, perhaps as little as two, perhapsas many as eight, we will start to make observations of gravitational radiation fromastrophysical sources. If gravitational-wave astronomy follows other branches ofobservational astronomy, it will not be long before completely unexpected signalsare seen, or unexpected features in long-predicted signals. To interpret these willrequire joining a physical understanding of the relationship between gravitationalradiation and its source to a wide knowledge of astronomical phenomena. Weencourage the students who have attended these lectures, and others who maystudy them, to get themselves ready to contribute to this activity. It will be anexciting time!