Computer simulation of gravitational wave emissions S. Ossokine, A. Buonanno (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics), Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes project, W. Benger (Airborne Hydro Mapping GmbH)

Gravitational waves may leave behind detectable traces

Gravitational waves leave behind tell-tale signatures which new research suggests we may be able to trace in order to test the predictions of general relativity and learn more about the Universe.

Gravitational waves — first detected by LIGO in 2016 — offer a new window on the Universe with the potential to tell us about everything from the time following the Big Bang to more recent events in galaxy centres.

As the billion-dollar Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detector watches 24/7 for gravitational waves to pass through the Earth — new research shows those waves may leave behind plenty of ‘memories’ that could help detect them even after they’ve passed.

Alexander Grant, a doctoral candidate and lead author of the study, says: “That gravitational waves can leave permanent changes to a detector after the gravitational waves have passed is one of the rather unusual predictions of general relativity.”

Numerical simulation of two inspiralling black holes that merge to form a new black hole. Shown are the black hole horizons, the strong gravitational field surrounding the black holes, and the gravitational waves produced ( S. Ossokine, A. Buonanno (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics), Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes project, W. Benger (Airborne Hydro Mapping GmbH)).