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'Most detailed' gravitational wave map reveals invisible universe of black hole mergers


Published on 2024-12-07 13:02:24 - Interesting Engineering
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  • In a breakthrough, scientists have mapped the invisible ripples in spacetime caused by massive objects like black holes.

The article from Interesting Engineering discusses a groundbreaking study published in The Astrophysical Journal, detailing the creation of the first-ever map of gravitational waves. This map, developed by researchers from the University of Chicago and the Adler Planetarium, illustrates the locations and movements of black hole mergers across the universe. By analyzing data from the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave observatories, scientists have pinpointed 40 black hole mergers, providing insights into the distribution and dynamics of these cosmic events. The map not only confirms the existence of gravitational waves, first detected in 2015, but also enhances our understanding of how black holes interact and merge, potentially reshaping theories about galaxy formation and the universe's expansion. This visualization tool helps in studying the frequency and locations of these mergers, offering a new perspective on the cosmos's structure and evolution.

Read the Full Interesting Engineering Article at:
[ https://interestingengineering.com/science/gravitational-wave-map-reveals-black-hole-mergers ]

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