Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Gravitational Wave Astronomy is a revolutionary field of observational astronomy that detects and analyzes gravitational waves—minuscule ripples in the fabric of spacetime—to study the cosmos. Predicted by Einstein's General Relativity, these waves are generated by the most cataclysmic cosmic events, such as the collision of black holes and neutron stars, which are often invisible to traditional light-based telescopes. By "listening" to these vibrations, scientists can directly test the laws of physics in extreme environments, probe the nature of gravity, and open an entirely new window on the universe's most violent and mysterious phenomena.