The Detection of Gravitational Waves (2016 paper)

The 2016 discovery of gravitational waves confirmed a prediction from Einstein's general relativity. These waves are ripples in spacetime caused by massive objects like merging black holes. Using highly sensitive detectors called LIGO, scientists observed tiny disturbances as the waves passed through Earth, stretching and squeezing spacetime by barely detectable amounts. This breakthrough provided direct evidence of these cosmic phenomena, opening a new window for observing the universe and understanding extreme gravitational events that were previously hidden from view.