Exploring the Universe with Gravitational Waves - From the Big Bang to Black Holes

Embark on a captivating journey through the cosmos in this comprehensive lecture by Nobel Laureate Kip S. Thorne. Delve into the groundbreaking field of gravitational wave astronomy, exploring its 50-year development and the recent LIGO discovery that revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Learn about the fundamental differences between electromagnetic and gravitational waves, the challenges in detecting these elusive ripples in spacetime, and the fascinating history of the scientists who made it possible. Discover the implications of gravitational wave detection for studying black holes, neutron stars, and even the birth of the universe itself. Gain insights into future gravitational wave observatories, including space-based missions like LISA, and their potential to unlock new cosmic mysteries. From Einstein's predictions to cutting-edge simulations of colliding black holes, this lecture offers a comprehensive overview of how gravitational waves are transforming our exploration of the universe.

16:00 to Thursday, 11 January 2018
Introduction
ICTS Vishveshwara Lecture
Honor of Professor C.V. Vishveshwara
Introduction to Speaker
Exploring the Universe with Gravitational Waves: from the Big Bang to Black Holes
1.3 Billion Years Ago
LIGO: Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Detector
How Did We Get Here? my parochial view
Albert Einstein, 1916
1960s Joseph Weber University of Maryland
Charles Miner - Theory Group - 1960s U. Maryland
Kip, Theory Group Caltech
Electromagnetic and Gravitational Waves Contrasted
Rai Weiss - MIT
"Not promising"
1973-75 Conversations with Weiss and Braginsky Studied Weiss's 1972 Paper
Improvement on Weiss's Design
1976-78: Decision to Create Gravitational Wave Experiment at Caltech
1978 - Workshop on Sources of GWs
1980 - 83 Caltech: 40 meter prototype
1980 - 83 MIT: Feasibility Study for kilometer scale interferometers
LIGO 1984-87 Troika: Weiss, Drever, Thorne
1989 Construction Proposal
Barry Barish
on the "theory" front:
September 14, 2015 - Advanced LIGO detectors preparing for first search - First Signal Came In!
Reported Black Holes Mergers
GW 170817: Binary Neutron Star 1.7 Sec Later: Gamma Ray Burst
INDIGO: Crucial for Multimessenger Ay
INDIGO
Advanced LIGO Photos
Advanced LIGO at Design Sensitivity
Other Sources for Advanced LIGO
Beyond Advanced LIGO - if only limited by technology
Gravitational Windows
Gravitational Wave Periods
Exploring Black Holes with Gravitational Waves
Black Hole: Made from Warped Spacetime
LISA - Laser Interferometer Space Antenna
Mapping a Black Hole
Orbits Close to Black Hole
What if the Central Body is Not a Black Hole?
Dynamics of Spacetime Geometry for Colliding Black Holes
SXS Simulation of GW150914
The Birth of the Universe
Birth of Fundamental Forces
Primordial Gravitational Waves UHF Band: 100 million year period
Measure Primordial GWs at Periods of Seconds
Galileo 400 years ago
LIGO 2 years ago
Q&A