Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)
The first binary black-hole merger observed by LIGO
Numerical-relativity simulations of the first binary black-hole merger observed by the Advanced LIGO detector on September 14, 2015.
In 2015 scientists have observed for the first time gravitational waves, arriving at the earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe. The gravitational waves were detected on September 14, 2015 at 5:51 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (9:51 a.m. UTC) by both of the twin Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors, located in Livingston, Louisiana, and Hanford, Washington, USA. The signal was observed for about 0.2 seconds during which it increased both in frequency and amplitude. Its frequency lay between 35 Hz and 250 Hz and it had a peak amplitude (gravitational-wave strain) of 10-21.
The signal matches the predictions of general relativity for those of an inspiral and merger of two black holes with masses of 36 and 29 solar masses, respectively. The black hole resulting from the merger has mass of about 62 solar masses. About 3 times the mass of the sun was converted into gravitational waves in a fraction of a second—with a peak power output about 50 times that of the whole visible Universe. From the observations a distance of about 410 Megaparsecs (1.3 billion light years) to the black hole system was inferred.
The numerical-relativity simulations below show inspiral und merger of the binary black hole system as observed by LIGO.
Note: Publication of these images and movie requires proper credits and written permission. Please contact the AEI press office in advance of publication or for higher-resolution versions.
The first binary black-hole merger observed by LIGO
This movie and the images show the gravitational waves emitted during inspiral and merger of the black hole binary detected by LIGO.
Copyright: Numerical relativity simulation: S. Ossokine, A. Buonanno (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics), Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes project Scientific Visualisation: W. Benger (Airborne Hydro Mapping GmbH)
You can find this video on YouTube. Click on the image to be redirected there.
Simulation of GW150914
This movie shows the first gravitational-wave signal detected by LIGO on September 14, 2015. It's is a numerical simulation of two inspiralling black holes that merge to form a new black hole. Shown are the black hole horizons, the strong gravitational field surrounding the black holes, and the gravitational waves produced.
Numerical relativity simulation of two inspiralling black holes that merge to form a new black hole. Shown are the black hole horizons, the strong gravitational field surrounding the black holes, and the gravitational waves produced.
Copyright: Numerical relativity simulation: S. Ossokine, A. Buonanno (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics), Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes project Scientific Visualisation: W. Benger (Airborne Hydro Mapping GmbH)
The first binary black-hole merger observed by LIGO
The simulation shows the gravitational waves produced by two orbiting black holes. The strength of the gravitational wave is indicated by elevation as well as colour, with dark red indicating weak fields and pale yellow indicating strong fields. The yellow tubes show cross sections of the past location and shape of the black holes as they spiral towards each other. The movie shows the process in slow motion: For two black holes with about 29 and 36 solar masses, the whole animation would last approximately 1 second from beginning to end and the frequency of the gravitational waves would start from 19 Hz just below the human audible range and increase as the black holes approach each other.
Note: Publication of these images and movie requires proper credits and written permission. Please contact the AEI press office in advance of publication or for higher-resolution versions.
Copyright: Numerical relativity simulation: S. Ossokine, A. Buonanno (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics), Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes project Scientific Visualisation: R. Haas (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics)
You can find this video on YouTube. Click on the image to be redirected there.
Simulation of GW150914
The simulation shows the gravitational waves produced by two orbiting black holes. The strength of the gravitational wave is indicated by elevation as well as colour, with dark red indicating weak fields and pale yellow indicating strong fields.
Numerical relativity simulation of two inspiralling black holes that merge to form a new black hole. Shown are the gravitational waves produced and cross sections of the past location and shape of the black holes as they spiral towards each other.
Copyright: Numerical relativity simulation: S. Ossokine, A. Buonanno (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics), Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes project Scientific Visualisation: R. Haas (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics)
The first binary black-hole merger observed by LIGO
The simulation shows the gravitational waves produced by two orbiting black holes. The strength of the gravitational wave is indicated by elevation as well as colour, with white indicating weak fields and bright red indicating strong fields. The movie shows the process in slow motion: For two black holes with about 29 and 36 solar masses, the whole animation would last approximately 1 second from beginning to end and the frequency of the gravitational waves would start from 19 Hz just below the human audible range and increase as the black holes approach each other.
Note: Publication of these images and movie requires proper credits and written permission. Please contact the AEI press office in advance of publication or for higher-resolution versions.
Copyright: Numerical relativity simulation: S. Ossokine, A. Buonanno (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics), Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes project
Scientific Visualisation: R. Haas (Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics)
You can find this video on YouTube. Click on the image to be redirected there.
Simulation of GW150914
This movie shows the first gravitational-wave signal detected by LIGO on September 14, 2015. The simulation shows the gravitational waves produced by two orbiting black holes.
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