Scientists have directly detected gravitational waves — ripples in space and time — in addition to light from the spectacular collision of two neutron stars. This marks the first time that a cosmic event has been viewed in both gravitational waves and light.
The observation was made by a large, international team of scientists, including researchers from Mathematical Sciences and Physics and Astronomy at the University. The detection was made using the US-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO); the Europe-based Virgo detector; and some 70 ground and space-based observatories.
An artist’s impression of merging neutron stars. Image credit ESO L Calçada M-Kornmesser
Neutron stars are the smallest, densest stars known to exist and are formed when massive stars explode in supernovae. As these particular neutron stars spiralled together, they emitted gravitational waves that were detectable for about 100 seconds; when they collided, a flash of light in the form of gamma rays was emitted and seen on Earth about two seconds after the gravitational waves.
Confirmation of the existence of gravitational waves was first announced in February 2016, following the detection of two colliding black holes in 2015.
Southampton’s Professor Ian Jones has spent 14 years working on the international gravitational wave detection project.
Professor Jones commented:
“The ripples in gravity we detected, along with the electromagnetic observations made by our colleagues of the accompanying explosion and glowing fireball, show that the era of multi-messenger astronomy has truly arrived.”
Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Cosimo Inserra of Physics and Astronomy, commented:
“The optical observations we made of this gravitational wave source revealed an astronomical event unlike any other previously observed. Our data show that events like this can be a major source for creating the very heaviest elements in the universe.”
The full story is available to read here.
