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 Physics at Virginia

"The Remarkable Story of LIGO's Detection of Gravitational Waves"


Peter Shawhan , University of Maryland
[Host: Peter Arnold]
ABSTRACT:

On February 11, LIGO scientists announced the direct detection of gravitational waves, confirming a century-old prediction of Einstein's general theory of relativity.  This milestone was finally made possible with the incredibly sensitive Advanced LIGO detectors, combined with a certain measure of luck. This first event is already enough to investigate the properties of the source, test the theory of gravity, and project what more we can learn from future events.  I will share both the scientific meaning of the discovery and some of the personal stories behind it.

VIDEO:
Colloquium
Monday, May 2, 2016
3:30 PM
Physics Building, Room 203
Note special date.
Note special room.

 Slideshow (PDF)
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