English

Gravitational Waves: new observatories for new astronomy

Physics Education 2009-11-11 v1

Abstract

This article reviews the current status of gravitational wave astronomy and explains why astronomers are excited about the new generation of gravitational wave detectors. As part of the review we compare and contrast gravitational radiation to the more familiar electromagnetic radiation. We discuss the current indirect experimental evidence for gravitational waves, and how current and future gravitational wave detectors will operate as our newest telescopes pointed at the skies.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.physics/0509201,
  title  = {Gravitational Waves: new observatories for new astronomy},
  author = {Louis J. Rubbo and Shane L. Larson and Michelle B. Larson and Kristina D. Zaleski},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0509201},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

See related hands-on activity at physics/0503198. Accepted to The Physics Teacher

R2 v1 2026-07-22T19:06:02.194Z