A Survey of Gravitational Waves

Explore the fascinating world of gravitational waves in this comprehensive lecture by Frans Pretorius. Delve into the fundamental concepts, detection methods, and groundbreaking discoveries in the field of gravitational wave astronomy. Learn about the history of gravitational wave research, the challenges faced in their detection, and the revolutionary LIGO experiment that led to the first direct observation. Gain insights into the astrophysical sources of gravitational waves, including binary black hole mergers and neutron star collisions. Discover how these cosmic ripples in spacetime are providing new ways to study the universe and test Einstein's theory of general relativity. Examine the future prospects of gravitational wave astronomy and its potential to unlock mysteries of the cosmos.