Space-time is warped by objects such as moons, planets, stars, etc (see 1st gif above). You are, at this very moment, experiencing this warping of space-time as Gravity. Einstein’s mathematics showed that massive accelerating objects (i.e., neutron stars or black holes orbiting each other, or supernovas) would disrupt space-time in such a way that ‘waves’ of distorted space would radiate from the source (see gifs 2 & 3). These Gravitational Waves have an undulating effect on space-time as it is alternately expanded and contracted (gif 4). Although these waves carry a huge amount of energy, like ripples from a stone thrown in a pond, they spread out and weaken as they travel farther from the source. The waves of distorted space-time, moving out into the universe at the speed of light from some distant galaxy, may travel over a billion light years before they reach Earth. Fortunately, by then their wobbling of space-time is less than minuscule –smaller than the size a single atom. Amazingly, scientists have built extremely sensitive instruments to detect, measure and help decode the secrets gravitational waves carry –information about their cataclysmic origins, as well as invaluable clues to the nature of gravity itself. [see also, future gravitational wave observatory] Credits: caltech ; 1ucasvb ; ligo ; google ; esa
