A century ago, Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves, and for the first time, the terrestrial Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) sighted directly gravitational waves-fluctuations in the tissue of space-time as the result of the merging of a pair of black holes.

LIGO data studies revealed that the gravitational waves were produced by the merging of two black holes 30 times bigger than our Sun, located about 1.3 billion light-years away.

According to Spacedayly.com, the models suggest gamma rays wouldn’t be produced by the merging of two black holes, still if one or two neutron stars were implicated in the process a particular signal should be observable across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Photo credit: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock
For the first time, the terrestrial Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory sighted directly gravitational waves-fluctuations in the tissue of space-time as the result of the merging of a pair of black holes. Photo credit: Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock

Apparently, a sudden explosion of gamma rays was observed by the Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor on NASA’s Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope about 0.4 after the gravitational waves were perceived, suggesting that it’s possible that two merging black holes of stellar mass could actually release gamma rays along with the gravitational waves.

ESA’s INTEGRAL satellite didn’t detect any sign of a gamma-ray flare with a cosmic origin, and this leads to the theory that this phenomenon couldn’t be linked to the gravitational waves observation.

A great example of India-US scientific collaboration

A new Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in India will be setting up as a result of a signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) – in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi –between India and the United States on Thursday.

The third LIGO interferometer is expected to be completed and fully operational by 2023. With this, the prime minister hopes to inspire new young generations of Indian scientist. He’s also encouraging scientists who are part of the LIGO project to get involved as much as possible with Indian Students.

This new observatory will help scientist not only to detect the origin of gravitational waves (from the merging of black holes for months before the coalescence) but also to analyze and study the signals from space. They will even have the place and time to seek associated electromagnetic emission.

“Today is an exciting day because it offers the promise of deepening our understanding and opening an even wider window to our universe. This MOU is the first step toward an additional gravitational wave detector, located in India,” – said France Cordova, the director of US’ National Science Foundation (NSF).

Source: Space Daily