Wikipedia said:In February 2007, GRB 070201, a short gamma-ray burst, arrived at Earth from the direction of the Andromeda Galaxy, a nearby galaxy. The prevailing explanation of most short gamma-ray bursts is the merger of a neutron star with either a neutron star or black hole. LIGO reported a non-detection for GRB 070201, ruling out a merger at the distance of Andromeda with high confidence. Such a constraint is predicated on LIGO eventually demonstrating a direct detection of gravitational waves.
Shyan said:Here, you can find the paragraph below:But I don't understand how a non-detection can mean the detection pf gravitational waves!
Anyone knows what's the point?
Thanks
LIGO stands for Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. It is a scientific experiment designed to detect gravitational waves, which are ripples in the fabric of space-time predicted by Einstein's theory of general relativity. LIGO uses a set of two detectors, each consisting of two 4km-long arms arranged in an "L" shape, to measure the minuscule changes in the length of these arms caused by passing gravitational waves.
GRB 070201 refers to a gamma-ray burst that occurred on February 1, 2007. It was significant because it was the first time that a gravitational wave event (GW170817) was detected in conjunction with a gamma-ray burst. This provided strong evidence that the source of the gravitational waves was a neutron star merger.
The data collected from LIGO and GRB 070201 showed a strong correlation between the gravitational wave event, GW170817, and the gamma-ray burst. This correlation, along with the characteristics of the signals, provided strong evidence that the source of the gravitational waves was a neutron star merger.
Neutron star mergers are significant events that can provide valuable insights into the physics of the universe. By ruling out a neutron star merger as the source of GW170817, scientists can focus on other potential sources, such as black hole mergers or supernovae, and continue to deepen our understanding of the universe.
The discovery of GW170817 and its association with a gamma-ray burst opens up a whole new field of research in multi-messenger astronomy. This means that scientists can now use both gravitational waves and electromagnetic waves to study cosmic events, allowing for a more complete understanding of the universe. It also paves the way for future advancements in technology and techniques for detecting and studying gravitational waves, which can provide valuable insights into the mysteries of the universe.