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Astronomers detect cosmic bass note of gravitational waves
Astronomers have made a significant discovery by detecting a rumbling “cosmic bass note” caused by gravitational waves generated from the slow-motion mergers of supermassive black holes throughout the universe.
Firstly, the observations mark the first detection of low-frequency ripples in the fabric of spacetime, providing a new avenue for studying the massive black holes found at the centers of galaxies.
Supermassive black holes, which are millions to billions of times the mass of the sun, have played a crucial role in shaping galaxies, but their elusive nature stems from the fact that no light can escape their powerful gravitational pull.
Groundbreaking Discovery
Dr. Stephen Taylor, an astrophysicist at Vanderbilt University and chair of the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves, referred to the findings as “huge news.” Additionally, Dr. Michael Keith, a member of the European team that independently verified the discovery, expressed excitement about finally detecting gravitational waves from the distant universe.
New Insights into Gravitational Waves
Albert Einstein initially predicted the existence of gravitational waves a century ago, and their presence was confirmed in 2016. However, until now, scientists had only captured short “chirps” from the mergers of black holes or neutron stars slightly larger than the sun.
In contrast, the latest observations capture a deeper frequency range, with each complete wave taking around 30 years to pass Earth at the speed of light. It is believed that this cosmic rumble originates from the combined effects of supermassive black hole binaries over an astounding period of approximately 8 billion years.
Meticulous Monitoring of Pulsars
The detection was made through meticulous monitoring of over 100 pulsars – unique stars that spin hundreds of times per second, emitting beams of radio waves akin to lighthouse beams. Since the timing of these pulses is extraordinarily stable, even the slightest changes caused by the stretching and squeezing of spacetime can be detected.
International Collaboration
The findings were made possible through an international collaboration between the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves and separate teams from Europe, India, China, and Australia. These teams independently verified the results using their own data, providing significant corroboration.
Unveiling the Universe’s Mysteries
While these findings provide compelling evidence, questions remain regarding the precise sources of the detected gravitational waves. The leading explanation attributes the waves to the merging of supermassive black hole binaries. However, alternative theories, such as a gravitational imprint from the early universe, are also being considered.
Impacts on Scientific Knowledge
Renowned astrophysicists and cosmologists have expressed their enthusiasm for the groundbreaking discovery. Prof Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who discovered pulsars, described the findings as a remarkable technical achievement. Prof Andrew Pontzen of University College London stated that this discovery offers a new lens through which to study supermassive black holes.
These findings hold great promise for unlocking the mysteries of the universe and contribute to our understanding of black holes, one of the most fascinating phenomena in astrophysics.
