Prospects for Astrometric Measurements of Gravitational Waves from Stellar Sources with GAIA

Direct observation of gravitational waves has yet to be accomplished in experimental gravitation, and such a discovery would open a new chapter in the study of the nature of gravity. Astrometric (indirect) observations alone would make it possible to test general relativity with respect to other alternative theories. Astrometric light deflection of photons crossing the buffer zone of a gravitational source belongs to this case. Among the astrophysical objects in our Galaxy we have searched for those that can produce deflections within the precision limit of the next generation space astrometric projects. We present a simple model of a source of gravitational waves which is compatible with current astrophysical scenarios and whose buffer (non radiative) zone would bend light sufficiently to be detecteable with a Gaia-like satellite reaching the microarcsecond accuracy limit.