Coupling Gravitational Waves and Light: A Review of Electromagnetic Signals and Future Prospects

As demonstrated by the historic discovery and follow-up campaigns of the first neutron star merger, future multi-messenger observations coupling gravitational waves and light hold the promise of precise localizations, thus enabling the determination of precise redshifts, the nature of their outflows, and properties of the environment on sub-parsec to kiloparsec scales. Here, I will discuss lessons learned from electromagnetic follow-up campaigns in short gamma-ray bursts and previous gravitational wave observing runs. I will also discuss prospects for the detection of future such multi-messenger detections, matched to current and planned electromagnetic facilities, and address needed capabilities.