Author of the TroChe floor from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Ocean

September 2025 marks ten years since the first direct detection of gravitational waves, as predicted by the theory of general relativity of Albert Einstein from 1916. These invisible waves in the space are first directly discovered by the laser interferometer gravity wave observatory (LIGO). Traveling at the speed of light (~ 186,000 miles per second), these waves extend and squeeze the fabric of the space itself, changing the distance between the objects as they pass.

Waves in space

Gravitational waves occur when massive items are accelerated in space, especially in violent events. Ligo discovered the first gravitational waves When the two black holes, they finally merged with each other, creating waves in space. But those waves are Not exclusive for black holes. If the star went to Supernov, it could produce the same effect. Neutron stars can also create these waves for various reasons. Although these waves are invisible to the human eye, this animation from NASA’s study for visualization of science shows the merger of two black holes and waves that they create in the process.

How it works

Gravitational wave observatory, such as league, was built with two tunnels, every 2.5 mile each, arranged in “L”. At the end of each tunnel, a highly polished 40 kg mirror (about 16 inches) was mounted; This will reflect a laser beam sent from observatory. From the observatory rooms, a laser beam is sent and divided into two, with equal parts traveling down each tunnel, bounced from the mirror at the end. When the beams return, they are recombined. If the lengths of the hands are perfectly equal, the light waves are canceled in the right way, creating darkness on the detector. But if the gravitational wave passes, it slightly extends one hand as it squeezes the other, so that the backs that return are no longer canceled perfectly, creating a flickering of light that reveals the presence of the wave.

Real detection occurs at the place of recombination, when even with a number of stretching one hand and squeezing another change how long laser beams need to return. This difference creates a measurable shift in a sample of interference. To make sure that the signal is real, not local noise, both Ligo observatory – one in Washington (Ligo Hanford) and the other in Louisiani (Ligo Livingston) – must record the same pattern within Milisekundi. When they do, it is a confirmation of a gravitational wave passing through the earth. We do not feel these waves as they go through our planet, but now we have a method of discovering them!

To get involved

With the help of two additional observatory of the gravitational wave, VIRGIN and Cateither 300 black hole connections detected in the past decade; Some have been confirmed, while others are waiting for further study.

Although the average person may not have a laser interferometer lying in the yard, you can help with two projects aimed at detecting gravity waves and black holes that contribute to them:

• Black holes hunters: Using data from Tess satelliteYou would study the charts of the star brightness changes over time, looking for an effect called gravity microlencation. This lens effect may indicate that the massive object has passed in front of the star, like a black hole.
• Gravity Spy: LIGO can help scientists help their gravitational wave research asking for omissions that can imitate gravitational waves. By classifying mimicles, we can train algorithms on how to discover the actual thing.

You can also use gelatin, magnetic marbles and a small mirror for more practical demonstrations on how gravity waves move through space-time with JPL Incoming into gravitational waves activity!

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