Gravitational waves

Gravitational waves

Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time that occur when two massive objects collide in space. Albert Einstein was the first to predict gravitational waves in his General Theory of Relativity, but it was only 100 years later in 2015 that they were finally discovered by the sensitive instruments on the LIGO interferometer. ESA's LISA mission will continue the search using even more sensitive instruments from Earth's orbit, with the potential to massively increase our ability to detect these faint ripples in the fabric of space-time.

What is gravity? A guide to nature's most mysterious force (and what we still don't know)

Everyone knows that what goes up must come down. But why? Gravity, it turns out, is full of surprises…
more

Gravity, with Marcus Chown

Science writer Marcus Chown joins us on our podcasts, Instant Genius and Instant Genius Extra.
more

New technique could uncover gravitational echoes of the Big Bang

Researchers can now sift through the astrophysical noise to see the conditions of the early Universe.
more

Gravitational wave detectors capture their most massive black hole merger to date

The collision was more of a 'bang' than a 'chirp'.
more

Flash of light seen from possible black hole collision

The gravity associated with black holes is so great that nothing – not even light – usually escapes from them.
more

Mysterious object may be smallest black hole ever found

The object lies in the ‘mass gap’, making it heavier than the heaviest neutron star and lighter than the lightest black hole.
more

From apples to gravitational waves

Feel the full force of history in this quick introduction to gravity, electromagnetism and how we came to understand what’s keeping us stuck to the floor and orbiting the Sun.
more

Cosmic spacequakes and their heavy metal energy

In this extract from Nicholas Mee's The Cosmic Mystery Tour, he explores the power behind two colliding neutron stars and how they hold the power to build the heaviest of elements.
more

Something’s wrong with gravity

A new theory could rewrite the laws of physics as we know them, and finally explain what dark matter is.
more

Why 2019 is going to be a good year for gravitational waves

Next year, we should detect a new type of gravitational wave.
more

What would happen if a very strong gravitational wave passed through us?

It's unlikely to end well.
more

How we discovered gravitational waves from 'neutron stars' – and why it's such a huge deal

The discovery of tiny ripples in space from the violent collision of dense stars could help solve many mysteries – including where the gold in our jewellery comes from.
more

How Doctor Who's time machine measures up with real instruments of space and time

Disappointed about Doctor Who's TARDIS ending up at the wrong place at the wrong time? Don't be – it's incredibly precise.
more

Optical clock successfully tested in space

New method of measuring time could make GPS tracking hundreds of times more accurate than with atomic clocks.
more

Gravitational waves point to primordial black holes

New theory suggests LIGO-Virgo discovered gravitational waves came from mysterious black holes during the Big Bang.
more

Can gravitational waves teach us about the inside of a black hole?

We know a lot about black holes, but have recent discoveries unlocked any secrets?
more

What is the speed of gravity?

Einstein’s General Relativity says gravity travels at the speed of light. Proving it is far from simple.
more

Gravitational waves found: the inside story

It is the physics discovery of the century – even bigger than the Higgs Boson. Here's how it happened and what it means, by a key member of one of the lead teams
more

Einstein’s mystery of gravitational waves solved

LIGO scientists discover gravitational waves, completing the final puzzle of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity and opening the door to a new era of astronomy.
more

What are gravitational waves?

It was 100 years ago that Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves. Are we just about to prove it?
more

LISA Pathfinder will pave the way for us to 'see' black holes for the first time

Why the LISA pathfinder mission, just about to launch, could revolutionise astronomy forever by giving us a completely new window into the universe.
more