Gravitational Waves Detected at LIGO?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the detection of gravitational waves by Advanced LIGO, a topic that touches on theoretical predictions from general relativity and the implications of such a discovery. Participants express curiosity about the rumors and seek clarification on the nature and significance of gravitational waves.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention rumors regarding the detection of gravitational waves by Advanced LIGO, noting the historical context of Einstein's predictions.
  • One participant expresses excitement about the potential verification of these detections, anticipating an upcoming press conference.
  • Another participant requests a simple description of gravitational waves and their importance, indicating a lack of understanding of the concept.
  • A participant provides an analogy comparing gravitational waves to waves created by an egg beater in batter, suggesting that they are produced by massive objects in motion.
  • There are theoretical reasons proposed for the importance of detecting gravitational waves, including their predictions by general relativity and quantum gravity theories.
  • One participant reflects on the inevitability of detecting gravitational waves as technology advances, expressing appreciation for the enduring nature of profound scientific theories.
  • A later reply confirms that LIGO has announced the detection of gravitational waves, indicating excitement about this claim.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of curiosity and excitement regarding the detection of gravitational waves, but there is no consensus on the details or implications of the detection itself. Some participants are still seeking clarity on the concept of gravitational waves.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the depth of understanding of gravitational waves among participants, as well as the technical details surrounding their detection and significance.

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There are rumours that scientists at Advanced LIGO have detected gravitational waves ... it is about 100 years after Einstein predicted they were there in his mathematical theory of general relativity ...

Anyone know more about this rumour ...?

Peter
 
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Peter said:
There are rumours that scientists at Advanced LIGO have detected gravitational waves ... it is about 100 years after Einstein predicted they were there in his mathematical theory of general relativity ...

Anyone know more about this rumour ...?

Peter
It seems they are still holding the press conference this Thursday so I'd expect them to say they've verified it.

Yay! (Party)

-Dan
 
Peter said:
There are rumours that scientists at Advanced LIGO have detected gravitational waves ... it is about 100 years after Einstein predicted they were there in his mathematical theory of general relativity ...

Anyone know more about this rumour ...?

Peter
Does anyone have an accurate but simple description of exactly what gravitational waves are ... and why discovering them is important ...

I have only the very vaguest of ideas ...

Peter
 
Peter said:
Does anyone have an accurate but simple description of exactly what gravitational waves are ... and why discovering them is important ...

I have only the very vaguest of ideas ...

Peter
Do you like to cook?

Imagine you have an egg beater and you are mixing something at the center of the bowl. Notice that there are little waves in the batter that are moving out to the edges. A cosmological example of this would be two very massive objects orbiting each other rapidly. There is a set of "waves" that propagate outward from the center, just like with the egg beater. These are gravitational waves.

There are two theoretical reasons why we want to detect gravitational waves. First General Relativity predicts them. Second, what we know of Quantum gravity predicts them. So we'd better be able to find them at some point or the theories are in trouble. But gravitational waves are very weak...it takes a large disturbance like two rapidly orbiting massive bodies to be able to measure them. So a lot of effort and ingenuity has been used to come up with experiments.

As to any practical use of gravitational waves I can't think of many off the top of my head. The big thing I can think of is as a telescope: Gravitational waves are able to penetrate into objects where light cannot go. So we could, in theory, use them to probe the inside of the Earth to study its structure. But such applications are a long way off.

-Dan
 
I always figured that it was only a matter of time before sensitive enough instruments would be built and gravitational waves would be detected and the predictions of the theories verified. It is nice though to see such profound theories stand the tests of time. :D
 

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