What are gravitational waves and why their discovery was so important?
Detecting and analyzing the information carried by gravitational waves is allowing us to observe the Universe in a way never before possible, providing astronomers and other scientists with their first glimpses of literally un-seeable wonders.
What are gravitational waves in physics?
A gravitational wave is an invisible (yet incredibly fast) ripple in space. Gravitational waves travel at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second). These waves squeeze and stretch anything in their path as they pass by. A gravitational wave is an invisible (yet incredibly fast) ripple in space.
What are gravitational waves used for?
Gravitational waves can also be used to observe systems that are invisible (or almost impossible to detect) by any other means. For example, they provide a unique method of measuring the properties of black holes.
What might we discover using gravitational waves?
With a handful of discoveries already under their belts, gravitational-wave scientists have a long list of what they expect more data to bring, including insight into the origins of the Universe’s black holes; the extreme conditions inside neutron stars; a chronicle of how the Universe structured itself into galaxies; …
Why is LIGO important?
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, better known as LIGO, was the first experiment ever to directly detect these ripples in space-time, so it’s the first direct physical evidence that they actually exist.
How do gravitational waves affect us?
From even the distance of the nearest star, gravitational waves would pass through us almost completely unnoticed. Although these ripples in spacetime carry more energy than any other cataclysmic event, the interactions are so weak that they barely affect us.
Who first discovered gravitational waves?
They were proposed by Henri Poincaré in 1905 and subsequently predicted in 1916 by Albert Einstein on the basis of his general theory of relativity. Gravitational waves transport energy as gravitational radiation, a form of radiant energy similar to electromagnetic radiation.
Why do gravitational waves exist?
Gravitational waves are ‘ripples’ in space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the Universe. The strongest gravitational waves are produced by cataclysmic events such as colliding black holes, supernovae (massive stars exploding at the end of their lifetimes), and colliding neutron stars.
Who discovered gravitational force?
Sir Isaac Newton
Physically, Sir Isaac Newton was not a large man. However, he had a large intellect, as shown by his discoveries on gravity, light, motion, mathematics, and more. Legend has it that Isaac Newton came up with gravitational theory in 1665, or 1666, after watching an apple fall.
What is the impact of gravitational waves?
The effect that gravitational waves have on Earth is thousands of times smaller than the width of a proton, one of the particles that makes up an atom’s nucleus. That said, gravitational waves weaken the farther they travel, much like ripples on a pond.
What is a gravitational wave?
Gravitational waves are tiny ripples in the fabric of space-time, which travel at the speed of light. Their existence was first proposed by Henri Poincaré in 1905 and then predicted by Albert Einstein in 1916, as a consequence of his general theory of relativity.
Can gravitational waves help scientists study the universe?
But relatively recently, researchers built instruments allowing them to study the universe using X-rays, radio waves, ultraviolet waves and gamma-rays. Each time, scientists got a new view of the universe. In the same way, gravitational waves have the potential to show scientists totally new features of cosmic objects, LIGO team members said.
What can we learn from gravitational waves about black holes?
And scientists have many questions about the inner workings of black holes, which gravitational waves may help illuminate (so to speak). But all of that, the scientists said, will be revealed slowly, over the course of many years, as LIGO and related instruments collect more data on more events.
What does LIGO’s Detection of a gravitational wave mean?
[ Gravitational Waves Detected by LIGO: Complete Coverage] But what is truly monumental about this detection is that it gives humanity the ability to see the universe in a totally new way, scientists said.