Squeezing the Universe: LIGO Breaks the Quantum Limit
Researchers using LIGO achieved a landmark in quantum squeezing. In 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO, made history when it made the first…
LIGO News
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) is a groundbreaking facility dedicated to the detection of gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the Universe. LIGO consists of two massive laser interferometers located in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington. These observatories work in unison to measure the minute ripples in space-time generated by phenomena such as colliding black holes or neutron stars. LIGO’s historical achievement came in 2015 when it made the first-ever direct observation of gravitational waves, confirming a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s 1915 general theory of relativity and opening new avenues for astronomical research and our understanding of the cosmos.
Quantum Squeezing: At the Edge of Physics
New Caltech professor Lee McCuller is making quantum measurements even more precise. From a young age, new Assistant Professor of Physics, Lee McCuller, enjoyed the…
Exploring Quantum Gravity: Physicists Tune In to the Cosmic Ring of Black Holes
New methods will allow for better tests of Einstein’s general theory of relativity using LIGO data. Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity describes how the…
Upgraded LIGO Reactivated: Resumes Unraveling Universe’s Secrets With Enhanced Gravitational Wave Detection
Scientists have reactivated the upgraded Laser Interferometric Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) after a three-year break, improving its ability to measure gravitational waves. These waves offer new…
India Approves Construction of Its Own LIGO Gravitational-Wave Detector
India has approved the construction of LIGO-India, a gravitational-wave observatory that will join a global network, enhancing the ability to pinpoint sources of gravitational waves…
Space Interferometer Constellation To Reveal Elusive Gravitational Wave Sources and Unravel the Universe
A new SISSA study proposes an array of interferometers in space to detect subtle fluctuations in the background gravitational signals that may reveal the secrets…
Exotic Black Hole Behavior: 10 New Gravitational Waves Found in LIGO-Virgo’s O3a Data
The finding hints at exotic black hole behaviors. In the last seven years, scientists at the LIGO-Virgo Collaboration (LVC) have detected 90 gravitational wave signals….
Gravitational Wave Scientists Join the Epic Search for Dark Matter
The technologies behind one of the biggest scientific breakthroughs of the century – the detection of gravitational waves – are now being used in the…
Solving One of the Biggest Mysteries in the Universe: Gravitational Wave Scientists Set Their Sights on Dark Matter
Incredibly sensitive instruments used in landmark discoveries could help solve one of the biggest remaining mysteries in the Universe. The technology behind one of the…
Searching for Elusive Continuous Gravitational Waves From the Densest Objects in the Universe
Scientists are searching for continuous gravitational waves from neutron stars, aiming to unlock secrets of their dense cores and fundamental physics. A new international study,…
Black Holes of All Shapes and Sizes in Largest Catalog of Gravitational Wave Events Ever Assembled
The largest catalog of gravitational wave events ever assembled has been released by an international collaboration that includes Penn State researchers. Gravitational waves are ripples…
Black Holes Detected Eating Neutron Stars – “Like Pac Man”
Scientists have for the first time detected black holes eating neutron stars, “like Pac Man,” in a discovery documenting the collision of the two most…
Black Holes May Gain Mass From the Expansion of the Universe Itself
Over the past 6 years, gravitational wave observatories have been detecting black hole mergers, verifying a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s theory of gravity. But…
Extending LIGO’s Reach Into the Cosmos With New Mirror Coatings for the Gravitational-Wave Observatory
New mirror coatings will increase the volume of space LIGO can probe in its next run. Since LIGO’s groundbreaking detection, in 2015, of gravitational waves…
The Aftermath of Binary Neutron Star Mergers: What Remains Behind?
On August 17th, 2017, LIGO detected gravitational waves from the merger of two neutron stars. This merger radiated energy across the electromagnetic spectrum, light that…
Ripples in Space-Time Detected – Caused by the Death Spiral of a Neutron Star and a Black Hole
First Detection of Gravitational Waves From Black Holes Swallowing Neutron Stars For the first time, scientists have picked up the ripples in space-time caused by…
The Odd Couple: Groundbreaking New Discovery From Gravitational Whispers
Two gravitational wave signals from an entirely new class of cosmic collisions have been discovered by researchers working on the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo…
Gravitational-Wave Observatories Detect Rare Mergers of Black Holes With Neutron Stars for the First Time
Salvatore Vitale describes how gravitational-wave signals suggest black holes completely devoured their companion neutron stars. Recently, an international team of scientists, including researchers at MIT,…