What does the detection of gravitational waves mean to us?
I think everyone is already aware that a couple of days ago, scientists first announced the discovery of gravitational waves. There was a lot of news about it, on TV, on news sites and in general everywhere. However, no one found it difficult to explain in accessible language what this discovery gives us in practical terms.
In fact, everything is simple, it is enough to draw an analogy with a submarine:
Detecting submarines is the first and foremost task in the fight against them. Like any object, the boat by its presence affects the environment. In other words, the boat has its own physical fields. The more well-known physical fields of a submarine include hydroacoustic, magnetic, hydrodynamic, electric, low-frequency electromagnetic, as well as thermal, optical. The separation of the physical fields of the boat against the background of the fields of the ocean (sea) is the basis of the main detection methods.
Submarine detection methods are divided according to the type of physical fields: Acoustic, Magnetometric, Radar, Gas, Thermal, etc.
With space the same garbage. We look at the stars through telescopes, take photographs of Mars, catch radiation and generally try to know the heavens by all available means. And now, after these waves have been recorded, another way of studying has been added - gravitational. We will be able to survey space based on these vibrations.
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That is, as a submarine passed in sea space, and left behind a "trail" by which it can be calculated, in the same way celestial bodies can now be studied from a different angle for a more complete picture. In the future, we will be able to see how gravitational waves bend around different luminaries, galaxies, planets, we will learn even better to calculate the cosmic trajectories of objects (Or maybe even recognize and predict the approach of meteorites in advance), we will see the behavior of waves in special conditions, and so on.
What will it give?
It's not clear yet. But over time, the equipment will become more accurate and sensitive, and a wealth of material will accumulate about gravitational waves. Based on these materials, inquisitive minds will begin to find all sorts of anomalies, riddles and patterns. These patterns and anomalies, in turn, will serve as either a refutation or confirmation of old theories. Additional mathematical formulas will be created, interesting hypotheses (British scientists have found out that pigeons find their way home by being guided by gravitational waves!) And much more. And the yellow press will certainly launch some myth, such as the "Gravitational tsunami", which will one day come, cover our solar system and all living things will come with a kidyk. And Wang will drag in more. In short, it will be fun:]
And what is the result?
As a result, we will get a more perfect field of science, which will be able to give a more accurate and broader picture of our world. And if you are lucky and scientists come across some amazing effect … (Like, if two gravitational waves in the full moon "crash" into each other at a certain angle with the right speed, then a local antigravity focus occurs, oh-pa!) … then we can hope for serious scientific progress.
