Vitale reviews the scientific results of gravitational wave astronomy over the subsequent 5 years
About 50 events have been detected, mostly the mergers of binary black holes
The mass distribution of those events is unlike previously known black holes and constrains the evolution of massive stars
Some astrophysical phenomena are expected to emit both gravitational and electromagnetic waves, including the mergers of binary neutron stars, a neutron star merger with a black hole, or core-collapse supernovae within the Milky Way
This potentially enables multimessenger studies of these objects
Gravitational waves encode several physical properties of their sources, such as the masses, spins, equation of state of nuclear matter, and distances
Because they are emitted in regions where gravity is extremely strong, gravitational waves also enable tests of the general theory of relativity
Device used to measure gravitational waves
A gravitational-wave detector is any device designed to measure tiny distortions of spacetime called gravitational waves.Since the 1960s
Various kinds of gravitational-wave detectors have been built and constantly improved.The present-day generation of laser interferometers has reached the necessary sensitivity to detect gravitational waves from astronomical sources
Thus forming the primary tool of gravitational-wave astronomy.
Contraction of an astronomical object due to the influence of its gravity
Gravitational collapse is the contraction of an astronomical object due to the influence of its own gravity
Which tends to draw matter inward toward the center of gravity.Gravitational collapse is a fundamental mechanism for structure formation in the universe.Over time an initial
Relatively smooth distribution of matter will collapse to form pockets of higher density
Typically creating a hierarchy of condensed structures such as :
A magnetogravity wave is a type of plasma wave.A magnetogravity wave is an acoustic gravity wave which is associated with fluctuations in the background magnetic field.In this context
Gravity wave refers to a classical fluid wave
And is completely unrelated to the relativistic gravitational wave.
Astronomy organization
The North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) is a consortium of astronomers who share a common goal of detecting gravitational waves via regular observations of an ensemble of millisecond pulsars using the Green Bank Telescope
Arecibo ObservatoryAnd the Very Large Array.This project is being carried out in collaboration with international partners in the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array in Australia
The European Pulsar Timing Array
And the Indian Pulsar Timing Array as part of the International Pulsar Timing Array.
