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DanP
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Caltech played a crucial role in the development and confirmation of gravitational wave theory. In 1972, Caltech professor Kip Thorne proposed the concept of using laser interferometry to detect gravitational waves, leading to the development of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) in the 1990s. In 2015, LIGO, with the help of Caltech researchers, successfully detected gravitational waves for the first time, providing strong evidence for the theory.
Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects, such as two orbiting black holes. Similar to how a stone creates ripples when thrown into a pond, these accelerating masses create ripples in the fabric of spacetime, which travel at the speed of light. These waves can be detected by highly sensitive instruments such as LIGO.
The detection of gravitational waves has opened up a new window into the universe, allowing scientists to observe and study objects and events that were previously undetectable. This includes the study of black holes, the early universe, and the origins of the universe itself. Gravitational waves also provide a new way to test Einstein's theory of general relativity and potentially uncover new physics.
Gravitational waves are detected using instruments called interferometers, such as LIGO. These instruments use lasers to measure incredibly small changes in the distance between two mirrors caused by passing gravitational waves. This technology is incredibly sensitive, capable of detecting changes in distance as small as one-thousandth the diameter of a proton.
Caltech continues to be a leader in gravitational wave research, with ongoing efforts to improve and expand LIGO's capabilities and to develop new technologies for detecting gravitational waves. Additionally, Caltech researchers are involved in international collaborations to build even more advanced detectors, such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) and the Einstein Telescope, which will allow us to observe even more distant and energetic events in the universe.