Is gravitational wave research a smart direction to go in?

In summary, there is expected to be a significant increase in investments into gravitational wave research globally in the next few years, resulting in the development of more 'LIGOs'. However, it is important to consider personal motivations and goals before venturing into this area of physics, as there may be a surplus of graduates in this field compared to available research opportunities.
  • #1
astroman707
61
5
Is it a fair prediction to state that in the next several years or so, globally, there will be major investments into gravitational wave research, and many more ‘LIGOs’ being developed?
Is it a good idea to venture into that area of physics?
 
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  • #2
Why would you want to do that ?
 
  • #3
astroman707 said:
Is it a good idea to venture into that area of physics?

BvU said:
Why would you want to do that ?

@astroman707 Meaning you need to outline your goals / motivations to assess goodness of the idea. Asked without context, you aren't going to get very meaningful responses.
 
  • #4
The question is never limited to the demand for graduates with a given specialty, it's a matter of the demand relative to the supply.

Most subfields of physics are producing more PhDs than can be employed in ongoing research in that subfield. I don't see gravitational wave research as an exception.
 

1. What are gravitational waves?

Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time that are created by massive objects moving in the universe. They were predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.

2. Why is gravitational wave research important?

Gravitational wave research allows us to study the universe in a completely new way and gain insights into some of the most extreme and mysterious phenomena, such as black holes and neutron stars. It also helps us to test the predictions of Einstein's theory of general relativity.

3. How are gravitational waves detected?

Gravitational waves are detected using highly sensitive instruments called interferometers, which use lasers to measure tiny changes in the distance between two objects caused by passing gravitational waves.

4. What are the potential applications of gravitational wave research?

Gravitational wave research has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe and could lead to new technologies such as more accurate navigation systems and improved methods for detecting and studying gravitational waves.

5. Is gravitational wave research a long-term investment?

Yes, gravitational wave research is a long-term investment as it requires advanced technology and a significant amount of time and resources to make groundbreaking discoveries. However, the potential benefits and insights gained from this research make it a worthwhile direction to pursue.

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