Gravitational waves are small distortions of the “elastic or fluid” space-time that travel at the speed of light, set off by the motion of massive objects in space-time. Space-time is, however, very “stiff” and it needs large masses and violent motions to bend it and set off gravitational waves.
Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity came into conflict with the law of gravity.
Einstein’s equations say that matter stresses and curves space-time as if it were elastic. Hence, the motion of the Earth around the Sun is described by the Sun curving space-time around it and the earth responding to that curvature very much like a heavy ball distorts the surface of a trampoline and a smaller ball moves guided by the contours of the distortion.
Chandrasekhar predicted that beyond the Chandrasekhar Limit, a massive star becomes a black hole. Another prediction of Einstein’s equations is that time ticks faster the farther you are from a massive body.
We are familiar with light, X-rays, radio waves that are all part of the electromagnetic spectrum. These waves are produced by the motions of electrically charged particles as predicted by James Maxwell. All hitherto knowledge of our universe is from these types of waves. Astronomers “see” the sky using various telescopes, which are sensitive to radio waves, light, X-rays, gamma rays, etc. However, electromagnetic waves can be blocked.
Scientists in various institutions in India have been members of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.
Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity came into conflict with the law of gravity.
Einstein’s equations say that matter stresses and curves space-time as if it were elastic. Hence, the motion of the Earth around the Sun is described by the Sun curving space-time around it and the earth responding to that curvature very much like a heavy ball distorts the surface of a trampoline and a smaller ball moves guided by the contours of the distortion.
Chandrasekhar predicted that beyond the Chandrasekhar Limit, a massive star becomes a black hole. Another prediction of Einstein’s equations is that time ticks faster the farther you are from a massive body.
We are familiar with light, X-rays, radio waves that are all part of the electromagnetic spectrum. These waves are produced by the motions of electrically charged particles as predicted by James Maxwell. All hitherto knowledge of our universe is from these types of waves. Astronomers “see” the sky using various telescopes, which are sensitive to radio waves, light, X-rays, gamma rays, etc. However, electromagnetic waves can be blocked.
Scientists in various institutions in India have been members of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration.
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