Gravitational Waves – A discovery that has shaken the world

by Francisco Lobo, of Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA)

The direct observation of gravitational waves was celebrated by the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics and is a triumph of science and technology that goes on dazzling, as was recently confirmed by the observation of the collision of two neutron stars in both windows of observation of the Universe: light and gravitational waves.

The discovery of gravitational waves is one of the last pieces for the confirmation of Einstein’s gravitation theory. This theory predicts that cataclysmic events, such as the collision of two black holes, may emit gravitational waves that propagate across the Universe.

In this session we will briefly review the history of this extraordinary discovery and discuss its importance and future application.

After the public talk, there will be a music and effects show projected on the planetary dome, and observations of the night sky with telescopes will run continuously until midnight, if weather conditions allow.

Noites no Observatório are organised by the Instituto de Astrofisica e Ciências do Espaço, in partnership with Planetário Calouste Gulbenkian – Centro de Ciência Viva.

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