Gravitational Wave

Gravitational waves are ripples of gravity created when large objects move through space and time.¹ Objects that have more mass create larger gravitational waves and the faster an object moves, the more gravitational waves it will produce.²

Fast Facts

1. A component of Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity³
2. Scientists have not yet detected gravitational waves³
3. Stars and black holes create gravitational waves²
4. Scientists attempt to detect gravitational waves using lasers²
5. The earth's gravity causes interference, making it difficult to detect gravitational waves near earth⁴
6. Gravitational waves lose intensity as they travel

Quote

"As far as we know, the Universe began 13.7 billion years ago. We have the dream of listening to that Big Bang itself by detecting and studying gravitational waves. It will give us a chance of listening to the dark, invisible side of the Universe."—Karsten Danzmann, Investigator at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Gravitationsphysik in Hanover, Germany⁴

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