The Einstein Toolkit: A Student's Guide

Abstract: The Einstein Toolkit represents a unique opportunity for students to explore the world of numerical relativity, without the need for high-level computing power or knowledge of the mathematics behind the simulations themselves. This document aims to act as a resource for students aiming to learn about and get involved with Numerical Relativity, focusing specifically on the modelling of Binary Black Hole Mergers in order to produce sample Gravitational Waveforms as would be measured by Gravitational Wave detectors such as LIGO. The feasibility of using the Einstein Toolkit on Amazon's Web Services (AWS) has also been explored for the first time, confirming a potential - yet expensive - method for students or citizen scientists to gain access to high-level computing power sufficient to play with and run their own numerical relativity simulations.