Kat Trosh from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Ocean

September 2025 celebrates ten years after the first direct detection of gravitational waves, as predicted by the theory of the general relativity of Albert Einstein in 1916. These invisible ripples in space were first directly discovered by the laser observatory of the gravitational wave (LIGO). Passing at the speed of light (~ 186,000 miles per second), these waves stretch and compress the fabric of the space itself, changing the distance between the objects during passage.

Waves in space

Gravitational waves are created when mass objects are accelerated in space, especially in violent events. Ligo discovered the first gravitational waves When two black holes rotating with each other finally united, creating ripples in space-time. But these waves Not exclusively for black holesThe field if the star would cross Supernova, this could give the same effect. Neutron stars can also create these waves for various reasons. While these waves are invisible to the human eye, this animation from the NASA science studio shows the fusion of two black holes and waves that they create in the process.

How does this work

The gravitational wave observatory, like LIGO, is built with two tunnels, each in a length of about 2.5 miles located in the form of “L”. At the end of each tunnel, a highly polished mirror of 40 kg (about 16 inches on the diameter) was installed; This will reflect the laser beam that is sent from the observatory. The laser beam goes from the room of the observatory and is divided into two, with equal parts moving along each tunnel, bouncing off the mirrors at the end. When the beams return, they are recombinated. If the length of the arm is completely equal, light waves are canceled correctly, producing darkness on the detector. But if a gravitational wave passes, it slightly stretches one hand, squeezing the other, so the returning beams are no longer canceled perfectly, creating a flicker of light, which shows the presence of a wave.

The actual detection occurs at the recombination point, when even a slight stretch of one hand and compressing the other changes how much time it takes to return to return. This difference gives a measurable shift in the interference structure. To be sure that the signal is real rather than local noise, both Observatory of Ligo is one in Washington (Ligo Hanford), as well as in Louisian (Ligo Livingston) – must record the same scheme during the milliseconds. When they do this, this is a confirmation of the gravitational wave spinning through the Earth. We do not feel these waves when they go through our planet, but now we have a method of detecting them!

Take part

With the help of two additional observatories on a gravitational wave, VIRGO And KagraThere were 300 mergers of the black hole found in the last decade; Some of which are confirmed, while others are waiting for further study.

While the average person may not have a laser interferometer lying in the backyard, you can help with two projects aimed at detecting gravitational waves and black holes that contribute to them:

• Black holes hunters: Using data from Tess satelliteYou would study the graphs of how the brightness of the stars changes over time in search of the effect called gravitational micro -insing. This lensing effect may indicate that a massive object was passed before the star, such as a black hole.
• Gravity spy: You can help scientists in the study of gravitational waves, looking for glitches that can imitate gravitational waves. By sorting imitators, we can teach algorithms how to find a real thing.

You can also use gelatin, magnetic balls and a small mirror for a more practical demonstration about how gravitational waves move in spatial time with JPL West with gravitational waves activity!