Black Holes And LIGO 2012

Document #:

LIGO-G1200393-v2

Document type:

G - Presentations (eg Graphics)

Abstract:

This talk was prepared for a seminar to be given at Central Washington University on April 9, 2012.

Abstract:

I will describe some of Einstein's thought experiments that led to the special and general theories of relativity, and the prediction of black holes. I will discuss why black holes really are black and why they really are like holes in space, and go into some of the weird and fascinating properties of space and time in and around them. I will show evidence for black holes and explain why understanding them is now an essential part of astrophysics. Finally, I will discuss the current upgrades of the Laser Interferometer Gravitation-wave Observatory (LIGO) taking place at Hanford Washington and Livingston Louisiana, and future plans to detect gravitational-waves from black holes by LIGO.

Files in Document:

• BlackHolesAndLIGO2012forcwu.pdf (BlackHolesAndLIGO2012forcwu.pdf, file is not accessible)

Other Files:

• BlackHolesAndLIGO2012forcwu.ppt (BlackHolesAndLIGO2012forcwu.ppt, file is not accessible)

Topics:

• Public Talk / Colloquium

Author Groups:

• LVC

Keywords:

LIGO Outreach Astrophysics Black Holes