Gravitational wave observations – the dawn of a new era in astronomy

Speaker: Ulrich Sperhake (University of Cambridge)

The image shows a snapshot from a numerical relativity simulation of a black hole binary system with parameters similar to those of the system GW150914, which resulted in the first direct detection of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). Two black holes of about 30 solar masses each inspiral and merge, generating ripples in the fabric of spacetime displayed here in colour coding. These ripples propagate outwards at the speed of light and manifest themselves in the form of an interference pattern in LIGO's laser beams due to the tiny change in length they generate in the arms of the detector.

[Image courtesy of Markus Kunesch with support by the GRChombo team and the Intel Company]

Attendance is free and open to all.

Refreshments will be available before the talk from 18:30.