Gravitational Waves

For the first time, scientists have observed ripples in space-time, so-called gravitational waves, which - triggered by a major event in the distant universe - reached Earth. This observation confirms an important prediction of the general theory of relativity formulated by Albert Einstein in 1915. At the same time, it opens a new window on the cosmos.

The goldmine of a neutron star collision

International research team models the different signatures of a kilonova explosion simultaneously for the first time more

Observation of multiple ringdown modes in a black hole merger more

Urania: muse of astronomy

New energy-efficient high-performance compute cluster for the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Potsdam more

Understanding neutron star mergers

Complex numerical simulation sheds light on an extreme cosmic process more

Artist's impression of the measurement of the gravitational wave background using pulsars distributed in the Milky Way.

Precise as a clock: pulsars in the Milky Way form large-scale observatory for gravitational waves more

AI finds merging black holes

An interdisciplinary team develops a neural network to improve the interpretation of gravitational wave data more

The picture consists of two square images. On the left are numerous orange spots of different sizes and brightness. On the right is a zoom into the brightest and largest of these spots. There, against the background of many stars, a reddish disc orbits a black sphere lying in the centre. From the surroundings of the black sphere, a violet ray is formed that is directed upwards.

Large-scale observational campaign provides new insights into an assumed black hole binary at the centre of the active galaxy OJ 287 more

Telling apart two types of gravitational-wave signals

What is needed to distinguish between binary black hole and neutron star black hole mergers? more

A look inside neutron stars

Combining heavy-ion experiments, astronomy and theory, researchers are gaining new insights into these exotic objects more

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The goldmine of a neutron star collision

International research team models the different signatures of a kilonova explosion simultaneously for the first time more

Artist's impression of the measurement of the gravitational wave background using pulsars distributed in the Milky Way.

Precise as a clock: pulsars in the Milky Way form large-scale observatory for gravitational waves more

The picture consists of two square images. On the left are numerous orange spots of different sizes and brightness. On the right is a zoom into the brightest and largest of these spots. There, against the background of many stars, a reddish disc orbits a black sphere lying in the centre. From the surroundings of the black sphere, a violet ray is formed that is directed upwards.

Large-scale observational campaign provides new insights into an assumed black hole binary at the centre of the active galaxy OJ 287 more

At the heart of a blazar

Researchers observe how a pair of black holes bend the jet in the active galaxy OJ 287 more

Balzan Prize 2021 for Alessandra Buonanno

The director at the Max Planck Institute für Gravitational Physics is awarded in the field of "Gravitation: physical and astrophysical aspects". more

Feast for black holes

Detectors receive gravitational waves from two gravity traps that swallow neutron stars in one piece more

The biggest fish so far caught in gravitational waves

Far-away black hole collision is the most massive and most distant ever observed by the detectors LIGO und Virgo more

Confirming Einstein’s most fortunate thought

Radio astronomers use a dance of three exotic stars to test the universality of free fall more

A signal like none before

LIGO and Virgo detectors catch first gravitational wave from binary black hole merger with unequal masses more

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Gravitational waves from merging neutron stars

This cosmic event was also observed in visible light and provides an explanation for gamma-ray bursts more

Three-detector observation of gravitational waves

The cosmic ripples were not only observed by the two Ligo observatories in the USA, but also the Italian detector Virgo more

Gravitational waves spotted for the third time

LIGO observes a signal, which was once again discovered at the Albert Einstein Institute in Hannover more

Gravitational waves 2.0

Researchers observe a signal originating from two merging black holes of about 14 and 8 solar masses more

The cosmos quakes

How researchers succeed in tracking down gravitational waves more

Gravitational waves detected 100 years after Einstein's prediction

For the first time, scientists have observed ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves, arriving at the earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe. This confirms a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s 1915 general theory of relativity and opens an unprecedented new window onto the cosmos. more

“The signal caught our eye immediately”

Interview with Max Planck Directors Bruce Allen, Alessandra Buonanno and Karsten Danzmann more

On the trail of gravitational waves

After decades of intensive preparations, the researchers achieved their goal; on 14 September 2015 two detectors known as Advanced LIGO finally managed to ensnare gravitational waves more

Tracking down the gentle tremble

In the 1970s, Max Planck scientists started working in the research field of gravitational waves more

Milestones of the theory of general relativity

Today, we cannot imagine modern astrophysics without the general theory of relativity: no matter if it's black holes, quasars, or gravitational lenses – it plays an important role in all these fields.  And when researchers try to track down gravitational waves, they are trying to confirm one of Einstein's predictions. The eventful history of the most famous equation of the century. more

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Astrophysics: The cosmos quakes - gravitational waves

Albert Einstein predicted their existence in the last century, but thought it would be impossible to discover them. Astronomers are now looking for them, nevertheless: gravitational waves. more

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