Gravitational Radiation from Black Holes

University Of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

A revolutionary prediction of Einstein's gravitational theory is that accelerated masses produce gravity waves, analogous to the way electric charges produce electromagnetic waves. Computer simulations will be used to model the emission of gravity waves produced by collisions between massive black holes. Water, sound and electromagnetic waves are common examples of waves occurring in nature. Gravity waves have only been detected indirectly by the way they deplete energy from an orbiting pulsar. A Laser Interferometric Gravity Wave Observatory (LIGO) sensitive enough to detect gravity waves directly is now under construction and will open up a new form of astronomy. Computer simulations of black hole collision can provide the details of the gravity waves which are necessary for the LIGO observatory to tune in on the signal.