Spacetime Symphony: Gravitational Waves From Merging Black Holes

In September 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detected the first gravitational wave signals. The event represents the coalescence of two distinct black holes that were previously in mutual orbit. LIGO's exciting discovery provides direct evidence of what is arguably the last major unconfirmed prediction of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and has launched the new field of gravitational wave astronomy.

Professor Lynn Cominsky, Sonoma State University, will report on these recent observations and discuss the merging Black Hole binary system that created these waves.