| Gravitational-wave Astronomy with the LIGO-Virgo Detector Network |
| Péter Raffai |
|
Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest,
Hungary |
| According to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, gravitational waves (GWs) are wavelike distortions in the fabric of space-time created by accelerating masses, and propagating at the speed of light. Although there had been several attempts throughout the 20th century to detect GWs, the first direct detection was achieved in September 2015 by the LIGO-Virgo Collaboration (LVC) using the two LIGO detectors. As members of the LVC since 2007, the LIGO group at Eötvös University had the opportunity to take part of and contribute to this major scientific achievement. The ongoing common detections of GW signals have already started to become standard tools for astrophysics and cosmology, opening a previously unaccessible window to the universe. In my talk I will give an overview of the most recent results and developments in GW astronomy, and the contributions of Eötvös University's LIGO group to the international LIGO project and its discoveries. |