The largest amount of gravitational waves discovered

While the history of the universe and its evolution is still the subject of several hypotheses, an exceptional discovery has just marked the start of a new era. A group of Australian scientists found an impressive amount ofgravitational waves, the most important having been recorded so far. A feat considered a big step towards understanding the history of the universe.

the September 14, 2015, the American observatory LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) captured the first gravitational waves with the help of a European team for data analysis. This discovery confirms one of Albert Einstein’s thoughts.

The physicist had mentioned, more than a century ago, the properties of gravitational waves in his general relativity theory.

The start of a new astronomical era?

The detection of these waves intervened after the collision pairs of black holes and neutron stars.

The results of this work could be the keystone to the many questions about the origin and evolution of the universe. The discovery could help resolve long-unresolved questions, including building blocks of matter and the functioning of space and time.

“Examining the masses and rotations of black holes in these binary systems indicates how these systems came together. »

Susan Scott, Australian National University Center for Gravitational Astrophysics

The recording of these cosmic oscillations mark, according to several researchers, the start of a new astronomical era.

A global desire to participate in the project

This astronomical feat was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the American team and the European group. Indeed, the LIGO detectors (including one in Livingston, Louisiana, and the other in Hanford, Washington) spotted gravitational waves with the help of the giant scientific instrument Virgo, located in Italy, in Santo Stefano, in Macerata.

What is certain is that the enthusiasm is enormous within the astronomical community following this discovery. These results will indeed lead to others that will make it possible to progress more quickly on the elucidation of these mysteries.

We can also see a global and inclusive will researchers from around the world to participate in the project. The initiative of the Japanese who join the international team thanks to their detector KAGRA perfectly illustrates the trend.