Fields
Gravitational Wave Astronomy
Gravitational wave astronomy opened a fundamentally new observational window on the universe with the first direct detection of merging black holes by LIGO in 2015. These spacetime ripples carry information about the most extreme events in the cosmos—colliding black holes, neutron star mergers, and possibly the Big Bang itself—that no electromagnetic signal can convey. The multi-messenger detection of neutron star merger GW170817 simultaneously in gravitational waves and gamma rays confirmed the origin of heavy elements like gold and platinum. Pulsar timing arrays have recently detected a stochastic gravitational wave background, likely produced by a cosmic population of merging supermassive black holes. Third-generation detectors like the Einstein Telescope will probe the entire observable universe.
Details
- Avg Funding
- $1.8M
- Key Technologies
- LIGO InterferometersVirgo DetectorFabry-Pérot CavitiesQuantum Noise ReductionPulsar Timing Arrays
- Subfields
- Binary Black Hole MergersNeutron Star CollisionsPulsar Timing ArraysStochastic Gravitational BackgroundMulti-Messenger Astronomy
- Top Institutions
- MIT LIGO LabCaltech LIGOAEI HannoverEGO-Virgo CollaborationAustralian National University