For centuries, humans have observed the universe through light—visible, infrared, X-rays, and radio waves. In 2015, science opened an entirely new window to the cosmos with the first direct detection of gravitational waves by LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory). This breakthrough confirmed a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and transformed modern astrophysics.
Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by the acceleration of massive objects. Events such as the collision of black holes or neutron stars generate these waves, which travel across the universe at the speed of light. By the time they reach Earth, their effects are incredibly small, changing distances by less than the width of a proton, yet their information is invaluable.
LIGO has changed how we explore the universe. Instead of only seeing the cosmos, humanity can now listen to it. Each gravitational wave carries a story from the darkest and most energetic corners of space, helping us understand the universe in ways once thought impossible.
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