The 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics to three individuals for their significant contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves. The recipients are Reiner Weiss, Barry C. Barish, and Kip S. Thorne, who are all members of the LIGO-VIRGO collaboration. Through their collaborative efforts, they were able to build and operate the detector that allowed for the discovery of gravitational waves. This recognition not only celebrates their achievements but also acknowledges the efforts of over a thousand scientists worldwide who contributed to this monumental discovery.