Detection of gravitational waves confirms Einstein's theory of relativity

Scientists have detected the presence of gravitational waves for the first time, proving part of Albert Einstein's 1915 theory of general relativity and opening up a new means of observing the Universe.

The findings are being compared in importance to the discovery of the Higgs Boson by the CERN Large Hadron Collider or Galileo's first use of a telescope to view the planets.

Using montitors of almost unbelievable sensitivity at a $1.1bn network of observatories banding together in the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) network, the sound of what is thought two black holes colliding was observed, confirming the existance of gravitational waves.

LIGO’s detectors have arms four kilometres long, with the signal first observed on 14 September 2015 in the Livingston detector in Louisiana and then the Hanford detector in Washington state, proving that the waves were travelling in a particular direction.

These waves, described as three-dimensional ripples in the fabric of space-time, are just the size of a finger-width and have been translated into sound waves.

At a press conference, David Reitze, executive director of LIGO said: “We have detected gravitational waves. We did it.”

Kip Thorne, co-founder of LIGO, said the collision of the black holes in satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way lasted for just 20 milliseconds but generated 50 times the power of all the stars in the Universe put together.

Chad Hanna, LIGO team member at Pennsylvania State University, told PA that essentially the LIGO monitors detected waves that stretch and squeeze the entire Milky Way galaxy "by the width of your thumb".

Professor Sheila Rowan, director of the University of Glasgow’s Institute for Gravitational Research, said: "It’s amazing to realise that we turned on our detectors on the centenary of the year Einstein’s general theory of relativity was published and at exactly the right time to receive this signal coming to us from 1.5 billion years ago – when far out in the Universe two black holes spiralled in to collide."

"This detection marks not only a confirmation of Einstein’s theories but most exciting is that it is marks the birth of gravitational astronomy. This expands hugely the way we can observe the cosmos."

Thorne's theories around gravitational waves inspired the film Interstellar, where time slowed down for a space crew that touched down on planet that fell within the gravitational grasp of a huge black hole. With one hour on the planet's surface corresponding to seven years on earth, crew members on the planet barely aged while those who stayed on the ship were decades older on their return.