Gravitational Waves and LIGO: Opening New "Eyes" on the Universe

Document #:

LIGO-T080232-x0

Document type:

T - Technical notes

Abstract:

Lecture notes to accompany seminar presented to the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.

OUTLINE:

Gravitational Waves
- Differences between Newtonian Gravity and General Relativity; prediction of GW
Sources of Gravitational Waves
- Production of GW
- Main types of GW:
* Continuous GW
* Inspiral GW
* Burst GW
* Stochastic GW
Detecting Gravitational Waves
- Effects of GW on space
- IFO introduction and LIGO
The Interferometer
- Basic IFO design
- Environmental noise
- IFO enhancements from basic design
* Vacuum
* Seismic isolation
The Potential of Gravitational Waves
- GW astronomy advantages over traditional EM astronomy
- Questions GW astronomy may answer
For Further Information
- Reading:
* "Einstein's Unfinished Symphony" by Marcia Bartusiak
* Einstein@Home website
- Viewing:
* "Einstein's Messengers" by the NSF
* "Gravity: Making Waves" by the American Museum of Natural History
- Contact
* Amber Stuver (amber.stuver@ligo.org)

Files in Document:

None

Topics:

• Education, Outreach

Authors:

• Amber Stuver

Keywords:

GW continuous inspiral CBC burst stochastic interferometer IFO astronomy

Notes and Changes:

Westinghouse Science Honors Institute Lecture Notes