Gravitational Waves
Articles tagged with Gravitational Waves
A new way to spot signs of dark matter
Gravitational wave detectors can now ‘auto-tune’ their signals
Researchers from the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Collaboration demonstrate how Astro Calibration technique improves signal processing by leveraging astrophysical models and comparison to predicted signals. This enhances detection of cosmic phenomena like black hole mergers, refining estimates of masses, spins, distance, and location.
Biggest black holes built up in busy star clusters after series of violent merging events, research finds
The most massive black holes detected by gravitational waves were formed through repeated and violent collision events in densely populated star clusters. The study identifies two distinct populations, with high-mass systems showing rapid spins and a signature consistent with cluster mergers.
Gravity follows Newton and Einstein’s rules, even at cosmic scales
Researchers tracked galaxy clusters to test gravity's strength, finding it weakens with distance as predicted by Newton and Einstein. The study confirms the existence of invisible dark matter, closing the door on alternative theories like Modified Newtonian Dynamics.
Gravitational waves as possible candidates for the origin of dark matter
Gravitational waves may have contributed to dark matter formation through stochastic gravitational waves during the early universe's formation. This new mechanism could lead to mass-free or nearly mass-free fermions that would acquire mass and form dark matter particles.
Gravitational waves leave imprints on light emitted by atoms
Researchers at Stockholm University propose a novel approach to detecting gravitational waves by tracking how they reshape the light emitted by atoms. This method could help distinguish the signal from noise and encode the wave's direction and polarization.
Oval orbit casts new light on black hole - neutron star mergers
Researchers analyzed gravitational-wave data from LIGO and Virgo detectors, revealing an oval orbit just before merger, which is unlikely according to theoretical models. The study corrects underestimated black hole mass and overestimated neutron star mass, suggesting a birthplace in an environment with many interacting stars.
A kaleidoscope of cosmic collisions: the new catalogue of gravitational signals from LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA
The updated catalogue, GWTC-4, doubles the number of events, revealing 128 new gravitational signals and a kaleidoscope of cosmic collisions, including massive black hole binaries and neutron star binaries. The data provides unprecedented precision to test Einstein's General Relativity and probe the universe's evolution.
New catalog more than doubles the number of gravitational-wave detections made by LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA observatories
The latest catalog more than doubles the number of gravitational-wave detections made by LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA observatories, revealing a kaleidoscope of cosmic collisions. The LVK's Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog-4.0 comprises 128 new detections from a nine-month period.
Researchers publish new guide to measuring spacetime fluctuations
Researchers developed a unified framework to measure spacetime fluctuations, enabling clear targets for experiments. The study provides measurable signatures for different categories of fluctuations, expanding the possibilities for testing quantum-gravity predictions.
It started with a cat: How 100 years of quantum weirdness powers today’s tech
Dr. Marlan Scully traces the journey of quantum mechanics, from its quirky beginnings to its role in solving science's toughest challenges, including quantum computing, cryptography, and gravitational wave detection.
Study offers possible solution to a gravitational wave mystery
Scientists at CU Boulder have solved a pressing mystery about the universe's gravitational wave background by revealing the role of smaller galaxies in galaxy evolution. The new study suggests that when a smaller supermassive black hole merges with a larger one, the smaller black hole gains mass, producing larger gravitational waves.
Saturn’s biggest moon might not have an ocean after all
Researchers reanalyze Cassini mission data to find that Titan's interior is more icy and slushy than previously thought, with implications for the search for life on Titan. The new findings suggest a slushy layer instead of an ocean, which could facilitate the growth of simple organisms.
Decoding dark matter’s imprint on black-hole gravitational waves
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam developed a new model to track dark matter's effect on black holes' gravitational waves. The study focuses on extreme mass-ratio inspirals, where a smaller object orbits a massive black hole, emitting gravitational waves that can reveal dark matter's distribution around black holes.
LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA complete the richest observation run to date
The international collaboration has detected a significant fraction of gravitational signals, constituting two-thirds of approximately 350 signals detected to date. The analysis of the data has led to numerous new discoveries and a deeper understanding of compact binary systems and fundamental physical processes in the universe.
New evidence from GW230814 confirms the black-hole area law
A research team at the Purple Mountain Observatory confirms Stephen Hawking's prediction that a black hole's horizon area cannot shrink when two black holes merge. The analysis of GW230814 shows strong support for the black-hole area law, validating general relativity in extreme astrophysical environments.
Mysterious ‘impossible’ merger of two massive black holes explained
Astrophysicists used simulations to uncover the missing piece that previous studies had overlooked: magnetic fields. They found that strong magnetic fields can slow down a black hole and carry away some of its stellar mass, creating lighter and more slowly spinning black holes.
LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA observed “second generation” black holes
The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration reports the detection of two gravitational wave events with unusual black hole spins. The observed black holes have size differentials and spin orientations that suggest they were formed through earlier mergers, providing evidence for hierarchical mergers in dense cosmic environments.
Pair of distinct black hole mergers reveals details on how they form and evolve
Two distant black hole mergers, measured one month apart in 2024, provide insights into the nature and evolution of deep-space collisions. The mergers validate fundamental laws of physics predicted by Einstein and furthers the search for new elementary particles with potential to extract energy from black holes.
A ‘dead’ 1800s idea rises again... with clues to the mystery of the universe’s missing antimatter
Japanese physicists have shown that knots can arise in a realistic particle physics framework, potentially explaining the origin of the universe's matter surplus. By combining two long-studied extensions of the Standard Model, the team found a stable knot configuration that could have formed and dominated in the early universe.
Can we hear gravitational-wave "beats" in the rhythm of pulsars?
Researchers propose a method to distinguish between nanohertz gravitational wave sources using pulsar timing arrays. By searching for beat phenomena in the tiny shifts of pulsars' radio-pulse arrival times, scientists can identify specific, nearby binary supermassive black hole systems.
New approach to gravitational wave detection opens the Milli-Hz Frontier
Scientists have unveiled a new detector concept that uses optical cavity and atomic clock technologies to detect gravitational waves in the milli-Hertz frequency band. This approach provides an immediate, cost-effective means to explore the mid-band range, which hosts signals from compact binaries of white dwarfs and black hole mergers.
New adaptive optics to support gravitational-wave discoveries
UC Riverside-developed FROSTI system allows precise control of laser wavefronts at extreme power levels, opening a new pathway for gravitational-wave astronomy. This technology expands the universe's view by a factor of 10, potentially detecting millions of black hole and neutron star mergers with unmatched fidelity.
Colossal collisions in space send shockwaves through the universe: Gravitational waves break records with new observations
The latest gravitational wave observation reveals two black holes with masses 30 times that of the Sun, shattering previous expectations. This discovery confirms a longstanding theory by Stephen Hawking and opens new possibilities for testing our understanding of gravity.
Hawking and Kerr black hole theories confirmed by gravitational wave
The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration has detected GW250114, a clear gravitational wave signal confirming two long-standing theories. The study validates Professor Stephen Hawking's prediction that the total event horizon area of black holes cannot shrink and confirms the Kerr nature of black holes.
Ten years after the discovery, gravitational waves verify Stephen Hawking's Black Hole Area Theorem
Researchers verified Stephen Hawking's Black Hole Area Theorem using gravitational waves, confirming the total surface area of black holes increases when they merge. This detection provides evidence for a fundamental law in physics, demonstrating the power of gravitational-wave astronomy.
Ten years later, LIGO is a black-hole hunting machine
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) has made a significant milestone in its 10-year history, detecting over 300 black hole mergers and surpassing previous records. The improved sensitivity of LIGO's detectors allows for the detection of fainter sources, enabling scientists to test fundamental laws of physics.
Clearest signal yet from colliding black holes yields most precise confirmation of Hawking’s area theorem
The LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Collaboration has used the sharpest gravitational wave signal to precisely test Hawking's area theorem and confirm the remnant black hole's nature. The detection confirms that the surface area of the remnant increased, consistent with Hawking's prediction.
An unprecedented view of merging black holes
Researchers have recorded a signal from a nearly identical black hole collision, confirming two important predictions about merging black holes. The study provides further evidence that the surface area of a merged black hole is never less than the sum of the initial black holes, supporting Stephen Hawking's theory.
Ringing black hole confirms Einstein and Hawking’s predictions
A newly detected black hole merger has provided the clearest evidence yet of how black holes work, confirming fundamental predictions by Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. The observations reveal insights into the properties of black holes and the nature of space-time, hinting at how quantum physics and general relativity fit together.
Artificial intelligence helps boost LIGO
Researchers developed a new AI method called Deep Loop Shaping to quiet unwanted noise in LIGO's detectors, achieving 30-100 times better performance than traditional methods. This technology will help improve LIGO's ability to detect bigger black holes and build next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.
Ribbons in the sky: Space radio telescope reveals plasma jet in a supermassive black hole binary candidate
A team of astronomers captured a detailed image of a ribbon-like jet emerging from the heart of OJ 287, revealing extreme energy and motion near the black hole. The study sheds new light on supermassive black holes and their powerful jets, potentially offering clues to binary black hole mergers.
New breakthrough could sharpen our view of colliding black holes
A new approach to analyzing gravitational-wave data could transform our understanding of extreme events like colliding black holes. The method developed by researchers from the University of Portsmouth and University College Dublin improves how scientists compare wave signals to existing models, laying important groundwork for future d...
LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detect most massive black hole merger to date
The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration has detected the merger of two massive black holes, producing a final black hole approximately 225 times the mass of our Sun. The signal presents a challenge to current astrophysical models and requires advanced theoretical tools to interpret.
New laser smaller than a penny can measure objects at ultrafast rates
Researchers have developed a new laser device smaller than a penny that can conduct extremely fast and accurate measurements by precisely changing its color across a broad spectrum of light. The laser has applications ranging from guiding autonomous vehicles to detecting gravitational waves, a delicate experiment to observe our universe.
Scientists discover new evidence of intermediate-mass black holes
Four new studies provide conclusive evidence for the existence of intermediate-mass black holes, offering a window into the universe's first stars. The researchers used data from LIGO detectors to identify these heavy gravitational-wave events, paving the way for future observations using space-based missions like LISA.
Astrophysicist searches for gravitational waves in new way
Astrophysicist Jeremy Darling is pursuing a new method to measure the universe's gravitational wave background by analyzing the motion of quasars. His research could unravel the physics of gravity and help scientists understand galaxy evolution and fundamental assumptions about gravity.
Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained
A scientist from Tokyo Metropolitan University has resolved the thirty-year mystery of dissonance in gravitational waves emitted by a black hole. The phenomenon was caused by resonance between two distinctive modes, which is not a rare incident but turns up universally in a range of modes.
AI finds new ways to observe the most extreme events in the universe
Researchers at Max Planck Institute use AI to design novel interferometric gravitational wave detectors, discovering dozens of top-performing designs that surpass known human solutions. These findings have the potential to improve detectable signal range by over an order of magnitude.
New high-powered telescope reaches Chilean peak
The Fred Young Submillimeter Telescope (FYST) has arrived at its final home in Chile's Parque Astronómico Atacama after a six-week ocean voyage and trekking through the mountains. The telescope will study cosmic dawn, star and galaxy formation, and gravitational waves from the Big Bang.
"Mars and Earth are even more different than we thought": researchers from the Faculty of Sciences publish groundbreaking study on Martian observations
Researchers from the Faculty of Sciences discover a deeper understanding of Martian climate through analysis of atmospheric waves. The study highlights greater asymmetry between Mars' southern and northern hemispheres, shedding new light on the Red Planet's climate dynamics.
Understanding gamma rays in our universe through StarBurst
The StarBurst Multimessenger Pioneer will detect short-duration bursts of gamma-rays from neutron star mergers, providing fundamental insight into these extreme explosions. With an effective area four times greater than the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor, it will increase the detection rate of EM counterparts to NS mergers.
Neural network deciphers gravitational waves from merging neutron stars in a second
A new machine learning algorithm can fully characterize systems of merging neutron stars in under a second, compared to traditional methods which take around an hour. This allows for rapid localization of the source and pointing of telescopes towards the merging neutron stars.
New technology enhances gravitational-wave detection
A new optical technology developed at UC Riverside enables gravitational-wave detectors to reach extreme laser powers, overcoming limitations that hinder the detection of cosmic phenomena. This breakthrough is expected to significantly expand our view of the universe, particularly in the earliest stages of its history.
A novel gravitational wave observatory configuration—Tetrahedron Constellation Gravitational Wave Observatory (TEGO)
TEGO's three-dimensional tetrahedral structure improves stability and reliability through redundancy and stable center of mass. The configuration also enables the detection of six polarization modes simultaneously, expanding our understanding of gravitational waves.
Seeing deeper into the cosmos with gravitational-wave detectors
Optical spring tracking reduces noise and improves signal clarity for gravitational-wave detectors, enabling scientists to observe distant cosmic events more effectively. The technique has the potential to expand our understanding of black holes and neutron stars as they merge.
Astronomers may have discovered the answer to a mysterious stellar event
Researchers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research have discovered a possible explanation for a rare and mysterious stellar event. By conducting a meta-analysis of existing data, they were able to identify key factors contributing to this phenomenon, shedding light on its underlying mechanisms.
Team unlocks new insights on pulsar signals
A study published in The Astrophysical Journal reveals that pulsar signals change as they move through the interstellar medium, highlighting a need for updates to current ISM density models. The research found that models incorporating galactic structures tend to better fit the data, but predictions of newly discovered pulsars were worse.
NCSA receives honors in 2024 HPCwire Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) has received the Readers' Choice Award: Best HPC Collaboration and Editors' Choice: Best Use of HPC in Physical Sciences. This is the 14th consecutive year NCSA has been honored with an HPCwire award.
Astronomers discover first pairs of white dwarf and main sequence stars in clusters, shining new light on stellar evolution
The discovery provides a unique way to investigate the extreme phase of stellar evolution, bridging the gap between the earliest and final stages of binary star systems. This breakthrough could help explain cosmic events like supernova explosions and gravitational waves.
Three million euros to SISSA for precision astronomy
The European Research Council awards €12M to GWSky project, led by SISSA, to develop innovative tools for interpreting gravitational wave signals with great precision. The project aims to identify and understand possible anomalies in the signals, revealing new physical phenomena not predicted by Einstein's theory of General Relativity.
"islands" of regularity discovered in the famously chaotic three-body problem
Astronomers have discovered patterns of regularity within the chaotic three-body problem, which is a fundamental challenge in physics. The researcher's findings suggest that certain configurations of three massive objects can lead to predictable outcomes, offering new insights into astrophysics and the behavior of black holes.
WVU astrophysicist to connect community college students with four-year STEM research institutions
The WVU STARS-UP program pairs two-year colleges with nearby four-year institutions to provide astrophysics and astronomy research opportunities. The goal is to create a sustainable pipeline for careers in STEM, focusing on underrepresented students from low socioeconomic communities.
Novel Mössbauer scheme proposed for gravitation wave detection
Researchers propose a novel Mössbauer method to detect gravitational waves, leveraging the precision of Mössbauer resonance and spatial resolution. The new setup enables accurate reconstruction of gravitational wave direction and polarization.
WVU astronomer hunts gravitational waves by observing their stretching and squeezing of spacetime
Researchers, including WVU astronomer Emmanuel Fonseca, use radio pulsars to detect gravitational waves generated by massive objects. The study will merge data from the Green Bank Telescope and CHIME radio telescope to achieve full coverage of each wave, revealing information about phenomenon and objects in distant galaxies.
Gravitational waves unveil previously unseen properties of neutron stars
Researchers unveil previously unseen properties of neutron stars through gravitational wave analysis, providing insight into internal composition and dynamic material properties. The study places observational constraints on viscosity within neutron stars.
New detectable gravitational wave source from collapsing stars predicted from simulations
Simulations predict that the violent deaths of rapidly rotating stars can create detectable gravitational waves, which could aid understanding of collapsars and black holes. The signals from these events are strong enough to be picked up by LIGO and may already exist in datasets.
Nanohertz gravitational waves are cool but not supercool
A new study published in Physical Review Letters suggests that nanohertz gravitational waves may not originate from supercool first-order phase transitions. Researchers found that such transitions would struggle to complete, shifting the frequency of the waves away from nanohertz frequencies.
Can quantum particles mimic gravitational waves?
Scientists have developed a method to simulate gravitational waves in the lab using cold atoms, a phenomenon similar to gravitational waves. This breakthrough allows for easier study and understanding of these cosmic waves, which are challenging to detect.