Nuclear, Particle, Astroparticle and Cosmology (NUPAC) Seminars
The First Direct Detection of Gravitational Waves
Presented by Emil Mottola, LANL
The announcement by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration of simultaneous detection of the gravitational wave signal of the inspiral and coalescence of a binary 'black hole' system by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory at both the Livingston, LA and Hanford, WA sites is a spectacular scientific and technological achievement. In addition to verifying a major prediction of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, proposed almost exactly 100 years prior to this discovery, and successfully capping a decades-long quest, the first detection of gravitational waves opens a new window on the universe, independent of the electromagnetic spectrum.
I will give an basic overview of gravitational waves in General Relativity and review the LIGO discovery for non-experts. If time allows, there will follow a discussion of the possibilities in physics and astrophysics the dawning of gravitational wave astronomy opens up.
2:00 pm, Tuesday, March 1, 2016
PAIS-2540, PAIS
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