The triggering of electromagnetic observations by gravitational wave events

The prospects for the observation of electromagnetic emissions by gravitational wave sources first detected using a network of interferometers are discussed. Various emission mechanisms and detection techniques for compact binary inspirals are studied to show that the pointing ability of gravitational wave observatories and the efficacy of electromagnetic detectors can be combined to predict that counterpart detections are improbable for the Initial interferometers, possible with Advanced LIGO detectors, and likely with an Advanced detector in Europe. Results from a new position estimation algorithm for unmodeled sources are also presented, and are discussed in the context of the observation of counterparts to burst sources of gravitational radiation.