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.
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.
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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.
Spin measurements from binary black hole mergers observed by gravitational-wave detectors carry valuable clues about how these binaries form in nature. Theorists have predicted that binaries could be attracted towards special configurations called spin-orbit resonances, where the spin and orbital angular momenta become locked into a resonant plane. The authors find first potential signs of these resonances in gravitational-wave data.
