Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
UPSC Mains Exam Schedule 2025 Bihar Sakshamta Pariksha Admit Card 2025 UP LT Grade Teacher Notification 2025 in Hindi UP LT Grade Teacher 2025 Notification UPSC CMS Admit Card 2025 Out HTET New Exam Date 2025 OTET Admit Card 2025 RRB Railway Teacher Application Status 2025 CSIR NET Exam Date 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
ISRO Space Missions
NVS-02 ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-A ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-B ISRO Space Mission Proba-3 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-N2 ISRO Space Mission EOS-08 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DS ISRO Space Mission XPoSat ISRO Space Mission Aditya-L1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-3 ISRO Space Mission NVS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-07 ISRO Space Mission INS-2B ISRO Space Mission EOS-06 ISRO Space Mission EOS-02 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-24 ISRO Space Mission INS-2TD ISRO Space Mission EOS-04 ISRO Space Mission EOS-03 ISRO Space Mission CMS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-01 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-30 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2BR1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan 2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2B ISRO Space Mission EMISAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-31 ISRO Space Mission Microsat-R ISRO Space Mission GSAT-7A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-11 ISRO Space Mission HysIS ISRO Space Mission GSAT-29 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1I ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6A ISRO Space Mission INS-1C ISRO Space Mission Microsat ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1H ISRO Space Mission GSAT-17 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-19 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-9 ISRO Space Mission Cartosat-2 Series Satellite INS-1A ISRO Space Mission INS-1B ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-18 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DR ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1G ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1F ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-15 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1D ISRO Space Mission Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) ISRO Space Mission GSAT-16 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1C ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1B ISRO Space Mission GSAT-14 ISRO Space Mission Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft GSAT-7 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3D ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1A ISRO Space Mission SARAL ISRO Space Mission GSAT-10 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-1 ISRO Space Mission Megha-Tropiques ISRO Space Mission GSAT-12 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-8 ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2 ISRO Space Mission YOUTHSAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-5P ISRO Space Mission GSAT-4 ISRO Space Mission Oceansat-2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-1 ISRO Space Mission IMS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4CR ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4B ISRO Space Mission SRE-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4A ISRO Space Mission HAMSAT ISRO Space Mission EDUSAT ISRO Space Mission IRS-P6 / RESOURCESAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3A ISRO Space Mission KALPANA-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3C ISRO Space Mission GSAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3B ISRO Space Mission Oceansat(IRS-P4) ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2E ISRO Space Mission IRS-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2D ISRO Space Mission IRS-P3 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2C ISRO Space Mission IRS-P2 ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1E ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C ISRO Space Mission IRS-1B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1C ISRO Space Mission SROSS-2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1B ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-D2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1A ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-II ISRO Space Mission Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) ISRO Rohini Satellite RS-D1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Technology Payload (RTP) ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-I ISRO Space Mission Aryabhata ISRO Space Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Gravitational Waves

Gravitational Waves - History, Causes, Types, Effects, LIGO, Interferometer, Significance And More

Last Updated on Oct 30, 2023
Also Read Gravitational Waves in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism In India Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

Gravitational waves are the strength of gravity's waves produced by accelerating masses in an orbital binary system. These waves propagate outward from their source at the speed of light. Oliver Heaviside proposed gravitational waves in 1893, and Henri Poincaré suggested their existence in 1905, comparing them to electromagnetic waves but with a gravitational nature. The speed of gravitational waves is 186,000 miles per second.

Gravitational Waves are one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS Examination. It covers a significant part of the Science & Technology subject of the General Studies Paper-3 syllabus and current events of national importance in UPSC prelims. 

In this article, we will discuss Gravitational Waves, the causes of their origin, how to detect such waves, the effects of Gravitational Waves, What LIGO is, India’s contribution to this path-breaking discovery, and what is the difference between Gravitational Waves and Gravity waves.

Register for Geography Optional Coaching and start preparing for your Mains by learning with experts.

Learn more about the Ocean Waves!

What are Gravitational Waves?

Gravitational waves are distortions in space-time resulting from powerful and energetic events in the Universe. Albert Einstein first theorized the existence of gravitational waves in 1916 as part of his general theory of relativity. According to Einstein's Mathematics, massive accelerating objects, such as neutron stars or black holes orbiting each other, would generate waves of undulating space-time, propagating in all directions from the source. These cosmic ripples travel at the speed of light and carry information about their origins, providing insights into the nature of gravity itself.

History of Gravitational Waves

  • In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Oliver Heaviside and Henri Poincaré proposed the existence of gravitational waves.
  • In 1916, Albert Einstein published his theory of general relativity. This predicted the existence of gravitational waves.
  • In 1936, Einstein and Nathan Rosen published a paper claiming that gravitational waves could not exist. However, this paper was later shown to be incorrect.
  • In 1974, Russell Hulse and Joseph Taylor discovered the first indirect evidence for the existence of gravitational waves. This was from the observed orbital decay of the Hulse–Taylor binary pulsar.
  • In 2015, the LIGO gravitational wave detectors made the first direct observation of gravitational waves from the merger of two black holes.

Learn more about the Rossby Waves!

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Causes of Gravitational Waves

When objects travel at very high speeds, they produce the greatest strength. Several possibilities that could result in a gravitational wave include:

  • When a star erupts unevenly, it is called a supernova.
  • When two massive stars orbit one another
  • Whenever two black holes collide and fuse

However, the gravitational wave-producing objects of this type are far distant. Occasionally, these occurrences merely produce insignificant gravitational waves. When the waves finally reach Earth, they are incredibly weak. Due to this, gravitational waves are challenging to find.

Click the Article Heatwaves here!

Importance of Gravitational Waves
  • Gravity waves are important because they open a new window into the cosmos. 
  • They can be used to study objects that are too faint or too distant to be seen with telescopes. 
  • They could help us understand the early moments of the universe. 
  • Gravity waves can also be used to test Einstein's theory of general relativity. They disprove Newton's theory of gravity and prove Einstein's theory of relativity.
  • They contributed to the discovery of the gravitational wave spectrum.
  • They could lead to the discovery of new devices and technologies.

Click the Article Rayleigh waves and love waves here!

Types of Gravitational Waves
  • Continuous Gravitational Waves: These waves are produced by rotating asymmetric objects like neutron stars, and their frequency remains steady over time.
  • Compact Binary Inspirals: These waves occur when two compact objects, such as black holes or neutron stars, spiral closer together and eventually merge. It emits a characteristic chirp-like signal.
  • Burst Gravitational Waves: These waves are caused by sudden and violent events, like supernovae or cosmic collisions, producing short bursts of gravitational radiation.
  • Stochastic Gravitational Waves: These waves are background noise generated by numerous unresolved astrophysical sources and can be detected collectively but not individually.
  • Primordial Gravitational Waves: These waves originate from the early universe during inflation and can carry valuable information about the universe's early moments.

Click the Article Marine Heat Waves here!

How are Gravitational Waves detected?
  • In 2015, researchers used the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), a discrete tool, to detect the first gravitational wave.
  •  When two black holes collided, the first gravitational waves were produced.
  • A 1.3 billion-year-old accident had occurred, and the ripples didn’t reach Earth until 2015.
  • A gravitational wave contracts and enlarges space as it passes through the Earth.
  • LIGO and two of the LIGO’s arms can detect this contracting and expansion, each measuring more than 4 km (2 miles).
  • It costs a billion dollars and includes two observatories in the shape of an L. One is in Washington State, and the other is in Louisiana.
  • The arms are moving gravitational waves, and their length varies very slightly.
  • The LIGO employs mirrors, lasers, and tiny detectors to find these minute modifications.
  • It wasn’t until 2015 that these waves were discovered on Earth, and it is one of the most important discoveries in modern physics.

Click the article on Cloud Observatory here!

Effects of Gravitational Waves passing
  • Because a passing gravitational wave will interact with every particle it touches, it is more complex to identify the impacts of a gravitational wave.
  • In contrast to electromagnetics, uncharged particles can be used as a reference point to measure the relative velocity of charged particles.
  • It is consequently very difficult to designate a reference particle to measure gravitational waves.
  • Compared to radio waves and charged particles, gravitational waves barely interact with matter.
  • For instance, a supernova explosion within our galaxy would produce a lot of gravitational raiding. Yet, a 1-kilometre ring would only deform to the extent of an atomic nucleus’ size.
  • As of this, gravitational wave detection has proven to be incredibly difficult. However, modern detectors have already attained this sensitivity, and more advancements are planned.

Click the Article Holocean Epoch here!

Contribution of the Indian Scientific Community
  • Over the past two decades, the Indian scientific community has achieved important advances in gravitational-wave physics.
  • The theoretical calculations needed to represent gravitational-wave signals from circling black holes were developed by Indians.
  • The Bangalore team is led by B.R. Iyer (At the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS)-TIFR) in collaboration with French researchers.
  • Under the auspices of the Indian Initiative in Gravitational-Wave Observations (IndIGO), Indian scientists from different institutions participated in the LIGO.
  • The gravitational-wave physics group INDIGO comprises researchers from India and was founded in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district.
  • These are Chennai Mathematical Institute, ICTS-TIFR Bangalore, IISER and IITs, Institute for Plasma Research Gandhinagar, IUCAA Pune, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology Indore, and TIFR Mumbai.
  • Estimates of the black hole’s mass, spin, energy, and peak power were all made possible by the direct efforts of the ICTS-TIFR group.
  • The team has also contributed to the astrophysics analysis of the merger of two black holes.
  • One of the general relativity tests that demonstrated the current observation is perfectly consistent with a binary black hole collision in Einstein’s theory was planned and carried out by the ICTS-TIFR group.
  • The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) team in Pune worked on developing the data-analysis methods needed to find these weak signals.

Click the article on Solar Radiation here!

What is LIGO?

LIGO stands for Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). It is a remarkable gravitational wave observatory, showcasing meticulous engineering and being the largest of its kind globally. The primary objective is to utilize gravitational-wave observations for astronomical research.

Interferometer and LIGO

  • Interferometers are investigative instruments used in a wide range of scientific and technical disciplines.
  • As they combine two or more light sources to produce an interference pattern that can be monitored and analyzed, they are also known as interferometers.
  • Interferometers produce interference patterns that reveal details about the object or activity being researched.
  • They are frequently utilized to take incredibly small measurements that are impossible to take in any other manner.
  • The LIGO interferometers are so effective at detecting gravitational waves that they can measure a distance that is 1/10,000th the width of a proton.
  •  LIGO interferometers have an L-shape. and the mirrors at the ends of the arms reflect light to produce fringes, which are interference patterns.

Click the Article Magma and Lava here!

Difference between Gravitational Waves and Gravity waves

Gravitational waves are rippling effects of cosmic occurrences in space-time. The merging of two enormous black holes 1.3 billion light-years away shocked LIGO since it was an unlikely event. Gravity waves, on the other hand, are much less explosive. They are produced by atmospheric and gravitational interactions rather than catastrophic cosmic events.

Let us see the difference between Gravitational Waves and Gravity waves in the table below;

Differences

Gravity Waves

Gravitational waves

Fundamental Nature

These are mechanical waves

These are not mechanical waves

Speed

The maximal speed may be around 100 ms-1, albeit speed varies.

Has a speed equal to that of light.

Medium for propagation

Given that they are mechanical waves, they don’t require a medium for transmission. They develop in fluids and spread there as well.

Since these waves are not mechanical waves, they do not require a medium for propagation.

Explanation Via

These waves can be explained using fluid dynamics.

These waves are expected to exist and form according to general relativity theory.

Energy Associated

These waves move energy across the material world.

These waves move energy through empty space or matter.

Detection

While some types of gravity waves, like ocean tides, can be observed with the naked eye, there are other types that can be identified and mapped using satellite data or other tools.

With the aid of signals captured by LIGO, physicists were able to identify gravitational waves on September 14, 2015, for the first time.

Importance of Detection

This wave detection is crucial for weather forecasting and catastrophe preparedness.

These waves, according to physicists, can break through any cosmic barrier and unveil the secrets of the cosmos.

Check the Article Difference between Physical Geography and Human Geography here!

Significance of the Discovery
  • Space-time around other bodies, including the Earth, can be distorted by gravitational waves.
  • It might be possible for us to “see” the formation of stars and black holes if we could properly detect the waves.
  • We could comprehend the universe’s origins, creation, and many of its most enigmatic features.
  • The discovery of gravitational waves also provides further evidence for the existence of black holes.
  • The discovery will pave the way for countless other discoveries.
  • The latest discovery supports one of Einstein’s most bizarre hypotheses, made as part of his general theory of relativity 100 years ago.

Conclusion

Many things about the evolution of our universe can be learned through the detection of gravitational waves. It provides details on the cosmological objects’ motion. We can observe further into the past of the universe due to gravitational waves. It benefits the development of Einstein’s theory of relativity. These waves assist in locating the source of dark matter and brand-new celestial objects. It offers a wealth of information for astronomers and scientists looking to discover new wonders.

Download the PDF on Gravitational Waves for the UPSC Exam Now!

We hope that all your doubts regarding Gravitational Waves will be cleared after going through this article. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Gravitational Waves - FAQs

Gravitational Waves are an invisible ripple in space that moves at the speed of light. As they pass, these waves compress and stretch everything in their path. These waves are produced when two objects are in a planar orbit.

Several possibilities are: When a star erupts in an uneven manner which is called a supernova. Or when two massive stars orbit one another or whenever two black holes collide and fuse, there are chances that gravitational waves are formed.

Compared to the compression you experience when you jump up and land on the ground,. Like ripples on a pond, gravitational waves become weaker as they move farther. So, humans cannot feel the gravitational waves.

Even after a gravitational wave has passed, the gravitational potential changes due to the energy it carries, and this change in potential causes space-time to change. Thus, Gravitational waves affect time.

Gravitational waves are rippling effects of cosmic occurrences in space-time. Whereas, Gravity waves are much less explosive. They are produced by atmospheric and gravitational interactions rather than catastrophic cosmic events.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice