Short Wave Corey Gray Is Picking Up Cosmic Vibrations
Nov 14, 2022
Corey Gray, a Senior Operations Specialist at the LIGO Hanford Observatory, shares his part in the groundbreaking detection of gravitational waves from colliding neutron stars. He reflects on the emotional weight of this historic moment and the significance of celebrating it with a tattoo. Delving into the challenges of translating cosmic signals into recognizable sounds, Corey also connects traditional Indigenous wisdom with modern science, weaving a narrative that honors both cultures while showcasing the marvels of astrophysics.
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Gravitational Waves
- LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory, measures ripples in space-time called gravitational waves.
- These waves are caused by the acceleration of massive objects, as predicted by Einstein's theory of relativity.
Gravitational Wave Tattoo
- Corey Gray got a tattoo of the first gravitational wave detection waveform.
- He felt like it was like seeing a sonogram of his child for the first time.
Connecting to History
- After the first detection, Corey Gray felt a profound connection to history and Einstein.
- His mother, Sharon Yellowfly, translated the news into Blackfoot, inventing new words for scientific terms.