Taylor Observatory Detecting Gravitational Waves

Description

In his second Taylor lecture on the verification of Einstein's theory of general relativity Tim Gill describes a hugely exciting astronomy event that occurred on February 16, 2016, namely the long-awaited verification that gravitational waves travel through space. Giant laser instruments in Louisiana and Washington simultaneously measured evidence of a black hole collision that occurred a billion years ago in a distant galaxy. The resulting gravitational pulse emanating from this event just reached earth. The special laser detectors, which can detect motion as little as a fraction of the size of a proton, measured these waves as they passed by, thus verifying Prof. Einsten's 1912 prediction, an important part of his theory of general relativity. Sponsored by the Friends of the Taylor, the event includes the presentation, a planetarium show and telescope viewing, weather permitting.