Gravitational waves: the "other light" from Cosmos

First direct detections of gravitational waves were reported in the first half of 2016. These observations represented: i) a confirmation of a fundamental prediction of General Relativity dynamics, and ii) a demonstration of the existence of binaries of stellar-mass black holes capable of merging in a timescale shorter than the Universe's age. This talk will review the basic elements needed to frame the two statements above. The presentation will be structured around three questions: what is the nature of gravitational waves? what are their sources? how can they be detected? No knowledge of General Relativity will be assumed and focus will be placed on conceptual issues.

Date: 
28/04/2017 - 12:30
Speaker: 
Prof. J.L. Jaramillo
Filiation: 
Institut de Mathématiques de Bourgogne (IMB) Université de Bourgogne


Seminars