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Einstein published the first papers predicting the existence of gravitational waves — ripples in the fabric of space-time — almost a century ago. Physicists at the recently upgraded Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) have announced that they have measured these cosmic deformations, opening up a new field of gravitational-wave astronomy. Discover Nature’s coverage of the unfolding story and other gravitational-wave experiments, as well as everything you ever wanted to know about Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
After two decades and more than half a billion dollars, LIGO, the world's largest gravitational-wave observatory, is on the verge of a detection. Maybe.
The discovery of gravitational waves from a merging black-hole system opens a window on the Universe that promises to test gravity at its strongest, and to reveal many surprises about black holes and other astrophysical systems.
A third gravitational-wave signal has been detected with confidence, produced again by the merger of two black holes. The combined data from these detections help to reveal the histories of the stars that left these black holes behind.
Four probable detections of gravitational waves have so far been reported, each associated with the merger of two black holes. Analysis of the signals allows formation theories of such black-hole systems to be tested. See Letter p.426
The discovery of gravitational waves from a neutron-star merger and the detection of the event across the electromagnetic spectrum give insight into many aspects of gravity and astrophysics. See Letter p.64, p.67, p.71, p.75 & p.80