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ETH researchers remeasure gravitational constant

Researchers from ETH Zurich conducted a new experiment to redetermine the gravitational constant G, obtaining a value 2.2% higher than the current official figure. The team used a dynamic measurement method involving resonating beams, allowing for real-time data analysis and minimization of interference.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2022

Cosmological gravitational waves: A new approach to reach back to the Big Bang

A new study by the POLARBEAR collaboration provides a new correction algorithm that allows for almost double the amount of reliable data on Cosmological Gravitational Waves (CGWs), produced during Inflation in the early Universe. This enhances our understanding of the signal and brings us closer to observing CGWs.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 6, 2022

Phase transitions in the early universe and their signals

A University of Helsinki research team used holographic duality to model early universe phase transitions and their potential impact on gravitational wave signals. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, suggests that such collisions could create powerful ripples in spacetime detectable by satellite missions like LISA.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 19, 2022

The hunt for the gravitational wave background

Astronomers have been searching for low-frequency gravitational waves by monitoring pulsar pulses, but now NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope can also be used to detect these waves. The satellite's high-energy light provides a clearer view of pulsars and offers an independent method to detect gravitational waves.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateApr 7, 2022

Dark energy: Neutron stars will tell us if it’s only an illusion

Researchers used simulations to compare Einstein's theory and modified gravity, finding that 'dark gravity' may be equally good at explaining data from binary neutron star collisions. This could lead to the discovery of new phenomena detectable by next-generation gravitational interferometers.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 3, 2022

International collaboration offers new evidence of a gravitational wave background

An international team of astronomers has found strong evidence for an ultra-low frequency signal, consistent with the expected characteristics of a gravitational wave background. The discovery was made using data from 65 millisecond pulsars, combining independent data sets from around the world.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 12, 2022

Challenging Einstein’s greatest theory with extreme stars

A team of international researchers challenged Einstein's theory of general relativity using pulsars as a cosmic laboratory. They detected new relativistic effects, including light deflection and time dilation, with unprecedented precision. The study provides significant insights into gravity theories and the fundamental forces of nature.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2021

Extending LIGO's reach into the cosmos

A new study by LIGO reveals a new type of mirror coating made of titanium oxide and germanium oxide reduces background noise in mirrors by a factor of two. This allows for an eight-fold increase in the volume of space that can be probed, enabling more frequent detection of gravitational waves.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Aiming for the sky and beyond: WVU helps net $2 million NSF award to build international gravitational wave detection network

A nearly $2 million NSF grant will accelerate the hunt for low-frequency gravitational waves using high-precision timing observations of exotic stars called millisecond pulsars. WVU's Maura McLaughlin is principal investigator on the project, which aims to discover new types of gravitational waves and expand the IPTA's reach globally.

On the hunt for ‘hierarchical’ black holes

Recent theoretical findings and astrophysical modeling suggest that scientists can accurately interpret gravitational wave signals from these events, hinting at the existence of so-called 'hierarchical' black holes. The detection of GW190521 in 2019 is thought to be the most promising candidate for such an event.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 27, 2021

Physicists observationally confirm Hawking's black hole theorem for the first time

Researchers at MIT confirmed Hawking's area theorem for the first time by analyzing GW150914 signal, showing total event horizon area did not decrease after merger. The findings provide evidence that black holes behave as thermal objects and emit radiation over long timescales, a fundamental revelation about these cosmic phenomena.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 30, 2021

Weak equivalence principle violated in gravitational waves

Research reveals that quantum particles can break a key principle of classical physics when passing through gravitational waves, opening up new possibilities for advanced materials and devices. This finding has significant implications for the development of gravitational wave detectors and potential energy harvesting technologies.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateOct 28, 2020

The black hole always chirps twice: New clues deciphering the shape of black holes

Research reveals black holes emit complex signals when observed from their equator, indicating a unique relation between gravitational waves and black hole behavior. The team discovered that the final black hole's cusp emits more intense gravitational waves, producing multiple 'chirps' as it settles to its final form.

A 'bang' in LIGO and Virgo detectors signals most massive gravitational-wave source yet

Researchers have detected a signal from the most massive black hole merger observed in gravitational waves, producing an 'intermediate-mass' black hole with a mass of up to 1,000 solar masses. The merger released energy equivalent to eight suns and has raised questions about the formation of such massive black holes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 2, 2020