The scientific community around the world cheered when researchers announced that they have been able to detect gravitational waves –ripples in the fabric of space and time, something proposed long back by Albert Einstein in 1916.
A fatal collision of two black holes producing ripples in spacetime has been detected for the first time and has been hailed as a significant discovery in the exciting new field of gravitational-wave astronomy
Physics defines gravitational waves as ripples in the curvature of space and time which spreads as waves. It was predicted long back in 1916 by Albert Einstein based upon his theory of relativity. He proposed that gravitational waves transported energy as gravitational radiation.
The creation of gravitational waves could be a result of Lorentz invariance of general relativity since it advocates the concept of a finite speed of propagation of the physical interactions with it.
It was in sharp contrast to the Newtonian theory of Gravitation which negates the existence of any gravitational waves and postulates that physical interaction propagates at infinite speed.
The waves detected came from two black holes which were circling each other and were coming closer and closer until they collided. The waves were detected by the Large Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO).
The actual detection of the collision of two black holes to produce an even massive black hole was a very exciting event by itself, and LIGO captured the signals on Sept. 14, 2015. It is the first physical proof that two black holes collide and also a direct evidence of a phenomenon which was predicted almost 100 years ago.
The latest discovery is truly monumental since it allows mankind to see the universe in a whole new light. In fact, the ability to detect gravitational waves is described as something akin to a deaf being able to hear suddenly.
