The first observation of gravitational waves is made, announced by the LIGO and Virgo collaborations on 11 February 2016.
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is a large-scale physics experiment and observatory designed to detect cosmic gravitational waves. Prior to LIGO, all data about the universe had come in the form of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation, from limited direct exploration on relatively nearby Solar System objects such as the Moon, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and their moons, asteroids etc., and from high energy cosmic particles.
Initially, two large observatories were built in the United States with the aim of detecting gravitational waves by laser interferometry. Two additional, smaller gravitational wave observatories are now operational: one in Japan (KAGRA), and one in Italy (Virgo). The two LIGO observatories use mirrors spaced 4 kilometres (13,000 ft) apart to measure changes in length—over an effective span of 1,120 kilometres (700 mi)—of less than one ten-thousandth the charge diameter of a proton.
Watch: "LIGO"
From the Advanced LIGO Documentary Project channel.
Sources and further reading: Wikipedia — LIGO, First observation of gravitational waves, Virgo interferometer (CC BY-SA). Images: Wikimedia Commons.
