Gravitational Waves
8 questions tagged Gravitational Waves — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
What is a neutron star merger?
A neutron star merger happens when two neutron stars spiral together and collide. It can produce gravitational waves and a kilonova explosion.
Where is the LIGO gravitational-wave observatory in the United States?
LIGO has two detector sites: one in Hanford, Washington, and one in Livingston, Louisiana. Together they measure tiny spacetime ripples from violent cosmic events.
How do scientists detect gravitational waves from colliding black holes?
They use ultra-sensitive laser interferometers that can detect changes in length far smaller than a proton. The first direct detection was announced by LIGO in 2016 from a 2015 event.
Where is the headquarters of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)?
LIGO’s headquarters are at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California. Its two detector sites are far apart, in Hanford, Washington, and Livingston, Louisiana.
Where is the Virgo interferometer that detects gravitational waves located?
Virgo is located near Pisa, Italy, at the European Gravitational Observatory. It works with LIGO to triangulate the sources of gravitational waves.
Where is the KAGRA gravitational-wave observatory built underground?
KAGRA is in the Kamioka mine in Hida, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is built underground to reduce seismic noise and temperature fluctuations.
When was the first detection of gravitational waves announced?
The first detection was announced in 2016, from signals measured on 14 September 2015.
Where is the first gravitational-wave observatory located?
The first major gravitational-wave observatory was built in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington. These are the two LIGO sites in the United States.