Gravitational Waves Explained


Gravitational Waves:
Okay! Gravitational waves are detected again. Its of paramount importance. But, what does it mean? It signifies or justifies the scientific visionary Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity that a massive mass is competent of warping space time, resulting in a spacetime distortion, that is a gravitational pull is created which, implodes the mass, and eventually becomes a black hole. When black holes are created and collide with each other, a strong force or gravitational waves are released. Now, answering the question, what is the relevance of detection of gravitational waves? It helps in unlocking the mysteries of formation of universe/comos, apart from proving Einstein's theory of relativity.


#LIGO #GravitationalWaves #GeneralTheoryOfRelativity #AlbertEinstein #BlackHolesMerger
On 14th August 2017, Gravitational Waves observatories, 'LIGO' and 'Virgo' detected gravitational waves sweeping across Earth, which was emitted from merger of black holes 'GW170814', 1.8 billion light years away from our planet. This is the fourth detection of Gravitational Waves since the very first detection in 2015.
Why is the discovery of Gravitational Waves so significant for us? It's because we can now 'hear' the universe. So far, scientists have been able to witness the after effects of the black hole. With the advent of gravitational waves, the inception, progression and death of a black hole can be observed and heard. The universe can now be explored in the dimensions not thought of yet. Intriguing. Isn't?
It's a very significant discovery, validating the correctness of Albert Einstein's Relativity theory. Until now, physicists considered black holes were conjecture/scientific speculation. However, the discovery of gravitational waves would confirm the existence of Black Holes. So, what are gravitational waves? When masses of size of black holes, collide, they generate tremendous energy, in a form that causes ripples of space-time, the very fabric of the universe.
#GravitationalWaves #LIGO #VIRGO
#AlbertEinstein #RelativityTheory

Video credit: NASA  (Gravitational Waves emitting from merger of black holes)
LIGO detects Gravitational Waves for third time:
What does it mean to us?
Well, it signifies two things:
1) Existence of black holes is scientifically proved.
2) Correctness of Einstein's 'General Theory of Relativity' is validated.
Now, comes the second question, What is LIGO and what does it do?
It stands for 'Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory'. LIGO, looks for astrophysical events that are not possible to be detected otherwise. For instance, Gravitational Waves.
What are Gravitational Waves?
When Black Holes collide/merge they emit enormous energy, which distort the fabric of universe (space-time) and result in ripples called gravitational waves, that travel across the universe.
What actually happened with third detection of Gravitational Waves by LIGO?
On January 4, 2017, LIGO detected gravitational waves from merger of two black holes three billion light years away from Earth. The merged black hole's mass is 49 times of our star, Sun. Imagine it's sheer gravity.
How does detection of Gravitational Waves validate Einstein's relativity theory?
Well, it's intriguing. In order to warp space-time or distort it, massive energy/mass is needed. Einstein proposed that stars during it's last phase of life, go supernova (explode and unleash all of it's leftover energies), subsequently, implode and reduced to space-time singularities/black holes. In this case, and also during merger of black holes, space-time is distorted and result in ripples of energies or gravitational waves. Thus, Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity is validated by detection of Gravitational Waves. Most importantly, it's been confirmed by scientific communities for third time. After all, science is based on observation and validation and not mere theory.

Image Credit: #LIGO (Illustration of merger of black holes)
#LaserInterferometerGravitationalWaveObservatory #GravitationalWaves
Disclaimer: I'm not a scientist, just an aspirant. And, what I've shared is my interpretation of actual scientific events.
Source material, access to press release and for further understanding of the phenomenon:
http://www.ligo.org/news/index.php#GW170104
On Feb 11 2016, #LIGO (Laser Inferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory), detected gravitational waves, and validated the correctness of Albert Einstein's relativity theory.
Why is the discovery of #GravitationalWaves so significant for us? Its because we can now 'hear' the universe. So far, scientists have been able to witness the after effects of black hole. With the advent of gravitational waves, the inception, progression and death of black hole can be observed and heard. The universe can now be explored in the dimensions not thought of yet. Intriguing. Isn't?
Its a very significant discovery. Until now, physicists considered black holes were conjecture/scientific speculation. However, the discovery of gravitational waves would confirm the existence of #BlackHoles. So, what are gravitational waves? When masses of size of black holes, collide, they generates tremendous energy, in a form that causes ripples of spacetime, the very fabric of the universe.

Video Credit: NASA Goddard
It is insane! Seriously insane! Let me put it into a perspective. The energy that is produced by sun, during its lifetime of 10 billion years, is unleashed by just one supernova explosion (an explosion of a giant star is called supernova). Here, we are talking about 100 million supernova explosions. Just imagine of the energy that gets released when black holes collide. The existence of gravitational waves have been scientifically proved. The phenomenon of black holes getting colliding with each other would be proved soon as well. Science is as much insane as the space itself!
For the very first time in the history of human science, on August 17, 2017 terrestrial and space observatories worked in tandem and detected not only the elusive gravitational wave emitted from the merger of two neutron stars but the light emitted from the source 130 million light years away from Earth. Yes, it took 130 million years for the light emitted from the source travelling at 186,000 miles per second to reach Earth. Just imagine how big our universe is. The emission was composed of heavy particles like Gold and Platinum. This phenomenon is called 'Kilonova'.

Why is the discovery of Gravitational Waves so significant for us? It's because we can now 'hear' the universe. So far, scientists have been able to witness the after effects of the black hole. With the advent of gravitational waves, the inception, progression and death of a black hole can be observed and heard. The universe can now be explored in the dimensions not thought of yet. Intriguing. Isn't?
It's a very significant discovery, validating the correctness of Albert Einstein's Relativity theory. Until now, physicists considered black holes were conjecture/scientific speculation. However, the discovery of gravitational waves would confirm the existence of Black Holes. So, what are gravitational waves? When masses of size of black holes, collide, they generate tremendous energy, in a form that causes ripples of space-time, the very fabric of the universe.
#GravitationalWaves #LIGO #VIRGO
#Kilonova

Source material and for further understanding of the phenomenon 'Kilonova':
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-missions-catch-first-light-from-a-gravitational-wave-event
I'm of the view that it takes decades, sometimes lifetime to make a real difference. Therefore, I call them 'Disruptors'. Let us briefly understand their accomplishment: When masses of size of black holes, collide, they generate tremendous energy, in a form that causes ripples of space-time, the very fabric of the universe, which is called a gravitational wave. And they detected it using an instrument.

Many congratulations to Nobel laureates, Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barish, Kip S. Throne.
Image credit: nobelprize.org
Source material and for further understanding of the phenomenon of Gravitational Wave:
https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2017/press.html
The sound of two black holes colliding:
https://youtu.be/egfBaUdnAyQ
#GravitationalWaves:  Its a very significant discovery. Until now, physicists considered black holes themselves were conjecture/scientific speculation. However, the discovery of gravitational waves would confirm the existence of #BlackHoles. So, what are gravitational waves? When masses of size of black holes, collide, they generates tremendous energy, in a form that causes ripples of spacetime, the very fabric of the universe.
Why is the discovery of #GravitationalWaves so significant for us? Its because we can now ' hear ' the universe. So far, scientists have been able to witness the aftereffects of black hole. With the advent of gravitational waves, the inception, progression and death of black hole can be seen and heard. The universe can now be explored in the dimensions not thought of yet. Intriguing. Isn't?

One of the best animated videos I have ever seen yet on the inception of the universe, big bang theory, black holes, gravity, electromagnetic waves, galaxies, stars, planets, and emergence of life forms to homo sapiens (us). Most of the celestial events have had happened for unknown reasons. Perhaps, reason beyond human comprehension. Yet, the universe has empowered the humans to explore the origin of it and publish it. Specifically, I'm fascinated by the theory that we all can be traced back to the single black point from which everything we know and don't know has born.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=7KYTJ8tBoZ8
#BT - spacefarer

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