What's up with gravitational waves?

12.02.16 - 1.3 billion years ago, two black holes collided in an enormous explosion of energy. The massive event sent gravitational waves across space-time. The waves finally passed through Earth last September, to be detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in the United States. EPFL astrophysicist Anaïs Rassat gives her thoughts about the discovery, and discusses its significance. What was so exciting about yesterday's LIGO press announcement? They announced that the LIGO-Virgo Consortium had made the first direct detection of gravitational waves using the Observatory's advanced technology. Scientists have been trying to track down gravitational waves for decades. In the past, they have found hints of their presence, but through indirect methods of detection.