Gravitational wave
Videos
Gravitational waves are waves of spacetime curvature produced by the relative motion of gravitating masses and which propagate away at the speed of light. They were first predicted by Albert Einstein
The gravitational wave spectrum with sources and detectors. Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Artist's impression of merging neutron stars, a source of gravitational waves
Now disproved evidence allegedly showing gravitational waves in the infant universe was found by the BICEP2 radio telescope. The microscopic examination of the focal plane of the BICEP2 detector is shown here. In January 2015, however, the BICEP2 findings were confirmed to be the result of cosmic dust.
Virgo interferometer
Videos
The Virgo interferometer is a large-scale scientific instrument near Pisa, Italy, for detecting gravitational waves. The detector is a Michelson interferometer, which can detect the minuscule length v
Aerial view of Virgo
Computer simulation of gravitational waves emitted by the orbital decay and merger of two black holes
Typical "chirp" of a gravitational-wave signal from the GW170817 event. The x axis represents time, and the y axis the frequency. The frequency increase over time is typical of gravitational waves from binary compact objects, and its shape is primarily determined by the objects' mass.
Mirror from the initial Virgo detector, now an exposition model at the Virgo site