Scientists have returned to work a special observatory, and it now works even better than before.
After a three-year hiatus, scientists in the US turned on detectors capable of measuring gravitational waves. These are subtle ripples in the fabric of space-time that travel through the entire Universe and the existence of these waves was predicted by Albert Einstein more than 100 years ago, writes Inverse.
At Focus. Technology appeared its own Telegram channel. Subscribe to not miss the latest and exciting news from the world of science!
Unlike light waves, gravitational waves are not interfered with by galaxies, stars, or gas and dust that fill the Universe. This means that studying them helps to learn a lot more about the most amazing cosmic phenomena, explains Chad Hanna from the University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Starting in 2020, LIGO, the laser-interferometric gravitational-wave observatory, has not been operating, because it was undergoing modernization. It made it possible to increase the sensitivity of the LIGO detectors.
Gravitational waves
According to Einstein’s general theory of relativity, mass and energy distort the shape of space and time. The curvature of space-time determines how objects move in relation to each other – this is what people perceive as gravity.
Gravitational waves are produced by the merger of black holes or neutron stars. This process of warping space sends waves into space that move like ripples on the surface of water in a lake.
LIGO Observatory
Photo: Inverse
First observations of gravitational waves
Although Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves as early as 1916, for more than 80 years, scientists could not confirm their existence due to a lack of necessary technology.
Only in 2000, the LIGO observatory was built in the USA, which began its work 2 years later. In fact, this object consists of two observatories, one of which is located in the state of Washington, and the other in the state of Louisiana. Each observatory is shaped like a giant L with two 4 km long “arms” at 90 degrees from the central part.
For 8 years, scientists did not detect any signs of gravitational waves, and therefore in 2010 LIGO was closed for modernization. Opening in 2015, the observatory almost immediately detected gravitational waves resulting from the merger of two black holes.
As of early 2020, before the observatory was shut down again for upgrades, scientists detected almost 90 gravitational waves coming from the merger of black holes and neutron stars.
LIGO detectors update
As a result of the upgrade of the detectors, Hanna said, the Laser Interferometric Gravitational Wave Observatory can now detect weaker gravitational waves, something it could not do before. In early May, LIGO began a short test run, and a few days ago, gravitational waves were detected during the merger of neutron stars and black holes.
Previously Focus wrote that astronomers have discovered a new Neptune, where the year lasts only 4 days, and the temperature on the planet is approximately 1200 degrees Celsius.
