Has Gravitational radiation been found

In summary, the aLIGO team is winding down their first run of searching for gravitational waves and rumors are circulating about a potential detection. However, it is likely that the team will thoroughly check any results before announcing them, and it may still be a few years until the experiment reaches its full sensitivity.
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  • #2
I expect the aLIGO team will only release their detection results after a very thorough humor check. No one is particularly anxious to unleash an encore performance to BICEP2
 
  • #3
"Now the question is whether persistent rumors that the experiment has detected the long-sought waves are accurate..."

Ah, Publicity!
 
  • #4
From what I've read about aLIGO's sensitivity, there's little doubt in my mind that a confirmed direct detection of gravity waves will come (relatively) soon, even if these rumors don't pan out.

Apparently aLIGO isn't expected to achieve its design sensitivity until 2019, though, so unless there's a pretty large nearby event, it may still be a few years yet.
 

Related to Has Gravitational radiation been found

1. What is gravitational radiation?

Gravitational radiation, also known as gravitational waves, is a form of energy that travels through space at the speed of light. It is produced by accelerating masses, such as colliding black holes or neutron stars.

2. How is gravitational radiation detected?

Gravitational radiation is detected using highly sensitive instruments called interferometers. These instruments measure tiny changes in distance between two points caused by passing gravitational waves.

3. Has gravitational radiation been directly observed?

Yes, in 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected gravitational waves for the first time. This was a major milestone in the field of astrophysics and confirmed a prediction made by Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity.

4. What are the implications of detecting gravitational radiation?

The detection of gravitational radiation has opened up a whole new field of astronomy, allowing us to study the universe in a completely different way. It also provides evidence for the existence of black holes and other extreme objects in the universe.

5. Can gravitational radiation be used for practical purposes?

Currently, gravitational radiation is not used for practical purposes as it is very difficult to detect and measure. However, scientists are exploring potential applications such as improving our understanding of the early universe and possibly developing new technologies for space travel.

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