Short Wave Gravitational Waves: Unlocking The Secrets Of The Universe
Aug 6, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent with a focus on gravitational waves, dives into the groundbreaking discoveries in the realm of astrophysics. She explains how gravitational waves reveal the echoes of cosmic events like black hole mergers. The podcast highlights the innovative design of LIGO, the challenges of detection, and the global scientific collaboration that led to a historic Nobel Prize win in 2015. Listeners will learn about the future of gravitational wave astronomy and its potential to unravel the mysteries of the universe.
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A New Era in Astronomy
- Astronomy has relied on light from distant objects, like a silent movie.
- Gravitational waves now allow us to "listen" to the universe, adding a new dimension to our understanding.
Sounds of the Universe
- The collision of two black holes sounds like a wind tunnel or water in a cave.
- Two neutron stars colliding produce a distinct "chirp" when converted into sound waves.
Einstein's Waves
- Albert Einstein first theorized gravitational waves in 1916 as ripples in spacetime.
- Scientists initially doubted their detectability due to their minuscule impact.