Should We Be Worried About Gravitational Waves?

In summary, The LIGO Scientific Collaboration has performed a third science run with improved sensitivities and has presented an analysis of 200 hours of data to search for a stochastic background of gravitational radiation. Upper bounds were placed on the energy density stored as gravitational radiation for three different spectral power laws, with a limit of Omega_0<8.4e-4 in the 69-156 Hz band, which is ~10^5 times lower than the previous result in this frequency range. There is still more room for exploration and discovery in this area.
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wolram
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http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0507254

Title: Upper Limits on a Stochastic Background of Gravitational Waves
Authors: LIGO Scientific Collaboration: B. Abbott, et al
Comments: 6 pages, 4 figures

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) has performed a third science run with much improved sensitivities of all three interferometers. We present an analysis of approximately 200 hours of data acquired during this run, used to search for a stochastic background of gravitational radiation. We place upper bounds on the energy density stored as gravitational radiation for three different spectral power laws. For the flat spectrum, our limit of Omega_0<8.4e-4 in the 69-156 Hz band is ~10^5 times lower than the previous result in this frequency range.
 
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  • #2
Still nothing. So, what is expected?
 
  • #3
Should we be worried yet?

Garth
 
  • #4
Garth said:
Should we be worried yet?

Garth

There are still a few inches of diving board left i think.
 

FAQ: Should We Be Worried About Gravitational Waves?

What is gravitational radiation?

Gravitational radiation, also known as gravitational waves, is a form of energy that is emitted by massive objects when they accelerate. It is a ripple in the fabric of space-time and was predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.

How is gravitational radiation detected?

Gravitational radiation can be detected using specialized instruments called interferometers, which measure tiny changes in the distance between two objects caused by passing gravitational waves. The most sensitive interferometers today are the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the Virgo detector.

What are the limits of gravitational radiation detection?

The limits of gravitational radiation detection depend on the sensitivity of the instruments used. Currently, the most sensitive interferometers can detect gravitational waves with extremely small amplitudes, but there is still room for improvement in sensitivity. Additionally, the distance at which gravitational waves can be detected is limited by the strength of the source and the sensitivity of the detector.

What can we learn from detecting gravitational radiation?

Detecting gravitational radiation can provide valuable information about the universe and its objects. It can help us understand the behavior of massive objects, such as black holes and neutron stars, and provide insight into the nature of gravity. It can also confirm the predictions of general relativity and potentially lead to new discoveries in the field of astrophysics.

Are there any potential applications of gravitational radiation detection?

Gravitational radiation detection has many potential applications, such as improving our understanding of the universe and its origins, aiding in the development of new technologies, and potentially providing a new way to study and observe astronomical objects. It can also have practical applications, such as improving the accuracy of navigation systems and communication networks.

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