Gabriela González: How LIGO discovered gravitational waves -- and what might be next

How LIGO discovered gravitational waves -- and what might be next

More than 100 years after Albert Einstein predicted gravitational waves -- ripples in space-time caused by violent cosmic collisions -- LIGO scientists confirmed their existence using large, extremely precise detectors in Louisiana and Washington. Astrophysicist Gabriela González of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration tells us how this incredible, Nobel-winning discovery happened -- and what it might mean for our understanding of the universe. (In Spanish with English subtitles)

After a century as a bold prediction, gravitational waves were detected for the first time when LIGO measured the tiny ripples from two black holes merging over a billion years ago. These waves changed distances on Earth by less than an atomic diameter, a feat only possible with the world’s most precise instruments. This discovery opens a new era in astronomy, allowing humanity to listen to the cosmos, not just see it. Scientific curiosity—not immediate practicality—drives these breakthroughs, fueling our understanding of how the universe works.

Gravitational Waves Reveal a New Way to Hear the Universe

"How to catch a ripple in spacetime"

TED-Ed: "What are gravitational waves?"

collaboration

innovation

physics

discovery

nature

science

technology

universe

TED en Español

space

TED Stage Talk