Gravitational waves are distortions in spacetime that stretch and compress space during their propagation. Even the strongest waves cause minuscule distance changes, detectable by technologies like laser interferometers. The LIGO detectors, activated in 2015, successfully identified the first gravitational wave event, GW150914. This event resulted from the merger of two black holes. Currently, there are four operational detectors, which have identified over 300 gravitational wave events, including the massive GW231123. However, funding challenges threaten the continued operation of these essential observatories.
Gravitational waves are ripples in spacetime that propagate at the speed of light, causing tiny changes in distance, detectable by devices like laser interferometers.
The twin LIGO detectors first detected gravitational waves in 2015, with the event GW150914 marking the merger of two black holes and the birth of a new black hole.
Over 300 gravitational wave events have been detected, including the recent and massive event GW231123, raising significant questions for astronomers.
Despite the advancements in detecting gravitational waves, funding for observatories is threatened, with proposals to shut down critical facilities essential for this emerging field.
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