Biased parameter inference of eccentric, spin-precessing binary black holes

This study evaluates how orbital eccentricity and spin precession can bias GW parameter estimation when the recovery model is mismatched. By injecting eccentric signals with a range of spin configurations (including precessing NR hybrids) and analyzing them with a quasi-circular precessing-spin model, the authors find appreciable biases in inferred parameters such as chirp mass and the precession parameter χ_p for highly eccentric systems. Model-comparison results favor an eccentric aligned-spin description over a quasi-circular precessing-spin model in relevant cases, motivating practical waveform models that handle eccentricity and precession simultaneously.

arXiv (gr-qc:2510.04332)