Assignment 7- Sheridan Wagner

September 14^th 2015, the first observation of gravitational waves was made.

In 1961, Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves, however he doubted that they could ever be detected. But on September 14^th, LIGO observatories detected a waveform created by two black holes merging into one. The last unproven theory of Einstein’s general relativity was confirmed and a new era of gravitational-wave astronomy began. It was also the first observation of a black hole merger which confirms that they can happen within the current age of the universe. On December 26^th the second observation of gravitational waves was made.

I would say this was a good event. Future measurements of gravitational waves makes it possible for us to determine the distance of these black hole mergers which would allow for a more accurate history of the universes expansion. The ability to measure gravitational waves allows for us to make new observations and not to be completely reliant on other methods of observations which are limited.