Trending

Gravitational Waves

Gravitational waves are ripples in space-time created by the interaction of massive objects in space, such as black holes and neutron stars. Their existence was first predicted by Albert Einstein in his 1916 paper describing his theory of general relativity. In 2015, scientists made the first detection of gravitational waves, observing ripples from the collision of two black holes. The discovery won astrophysicists Kip Thorne, Barry Baris and Rainer Weiss the 2017 Nobel Prize for Physics. Subsequent observations have also detected gravitational waves from colliding neutron stars. Learn more about gravitational waves here.

Related Topics: Black Holes, Dark Matter, The Theory of Relativity in Space

Latest Updates

Gravitational waves are giant ripples in the fabric of space-time.

New gravitational wave detector picks up possible signal from the beginning of time

By Adam Mann published

Physicists turned on a new type of gravitational-wave sensor and saw two intriguing results, but they aren't yet ready to claim a discovery.

An artist's depiction of colliding black holes causing ripples in the fabric of space-time.

How do gravitational waves work?

By Paul Sutter published

Conceptual design of the proposed Gravitational-wave Lunar Observatory for Cosmology on the surface of the moon.

We could hunt gravitational waves on the moon if this wild idea takes off

By Mike Wall published

The moon is a great place to hunt for ripples in space-time, a new study argues.

A 3D visualization of a neutron star.

Neutron star 'mountains' may be blocking our view of mysterious gravitational waves

By Harry Baker published

Scientists have used computer models to predict the size of minuscule deformations, or mountains, on the surfaces of neutron stars, which are responsible for causing gravitational waves as they spin.

An artist's interpretation of the Big Bang

Seeing the 'real' Big Bang through gravitational waves

By Paul Sutter published

The earliest and most momentous epoch in the history of the universe released a flood of gravitational waves, tiny ripples in the fabric of space-time.

A scientific visualization of a numerical relativity simulation that describes the collision of two black holes consistent with the binary black hole merger GW170814.

Can artificial intelligence help scientists spot gravitational waves?

By Chelsea Gohd published

Scientists hunting for elusive gravitational waves across the universe may be able to supercharge their discoveries with a new tool: artificial intelligence.

An artist's depiction of a black hole and a neutron star merging.

Scientists catch 1st glimpse of a black hole swallowing a neutron star

By Meghan Bartels published

After more than four years of exploring a menagerie of cosmic happenings through gravitational waves, scientists have finally spotted the third expected variety of collision — twice.

Gravitational waves as two black holes merge.

'Exotic compact objects' could soon break physics, new study suggests

By Adam Mann published

Gravitational wave detectors could soon uncover hints of new physics from exotic compact objects.

Theoretical physicist and science popularizer Brian Greene presenting at the World Science Festival.

Black holes, string theory and more: Q&A with physicist Brian Greene

By Mike Wall published

Space.com caught up with Greene to discuss the importance of science education, why black holes are so interesting and whether a "theory of everything" breakthrough could be on the horizon.

A shot focusing on the Cepheid variable star

'Dark sirens' could solve one of the greatest mysteries in cosmology

By Adam Mann published

A team has offered a way for gravitational wave events called dark sirens to resolve a crisis in cosmology

gravitational waves black hole

A tiny crystal device could boost gravitational wave detectors to reveal the birth cries of black holes

By David Blair published

In 2017, astronomers witnessed the birth of a black hole for the first time.

Uranus and Neptune have each only been visited by one spacecraft, Voyager 2.

A mission to Uranus and Neptune could act as massive gravitational-wave detector

By Paul Sutter published

What if one mission could study the gravitational ripples triggered by some of the most violent events in the universe — on the way to observing the least-known planets of our solar system?

Researchers used pulsars shown in the inset to calculate dark matter's affect on how stars move within the Milky Way.

Scientists are getting closer in race to find gravitational wave background and dark matter

By Charles Q. Choi published

Astronomers may be getting closer to discovering as-yet hidden cosmic secrets, such as the nature of dark matter and the presence of widespread distortions in space-time.

An artist's illustration of two black holes merging and creating ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves.

Did a holographic phase transition in the early universe release gravitational waves?

By Paul Sutter published

A team of physicists recently used a string-theory technique to reveal that we're on the cusp of detecting phase transitions in the early universe through their gravitational wave signature.

An artist's conception of two black holes merging, much like the one that produced the first detected gravitational waves.

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO): Detecting ripples in space-time

By Adam Mann published

An overview of LIGO and how it detects gravitational waves coming from the universe.

A diagram shows mergers of black holes and neutron stars observed by the LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave detectors.

Gravitational-wave treasure trove reveals dozens of black hole crashes

By Meghan Bartels published

Scientists can now catch gravitational waves better than ever before.

Artist impression of two black holes colliding and emitting gravitational waves.

Was there a bang at the end of the universe?

By All About Space magazine, Colin Stuart published

Space mysteries: How gravitational waves could explain how our universe began when another one ended.

black holes collision

The same black hole can collide with its kin multiple times, lopsided merger suggests

By Meghan Bartels published

For black holes, a collision doesn't have to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, new research suggests.

gravitational waves black holes neutron stars collisions

Gravitational waves point scientists to elusive missing-link black hole

By Meghan Bartels published

A new sound has joined the symphony of the universe as we hear it.

An artist's illustration of two black holes merging and creating ripples in spacetime known as gravitational waves.

Hunting for medium-sized black holes with the next generation of gravitational wave detectors

By Paul Sutter published

Some patience will be needed.