At that time, no direct observations of a supernova close enough to confirm Einstein's theory of gravitational waves had been made. However, I can explain the relationship between supernovae and gravitational waves, as well as the general thoughts of astrophysicists on this topic.
Supernovae are incredibly powerful explosions that occur at the end of a massive star's life. These explosions release an enormous amount of energy, which can cause ripples in the fabric of spacetime known as gravitational waves. According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, gravitational waves are produced by the acceleration of massive objects.
While there have been several confirmed detections of gravitational waves by ground-based detectors such as LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) and Virgo, these detections have primarily been from the merger of black holes or neutron stars. Observing a supernova in close proximity would provide a unique opportunity to study gravitational waves originating from a different astrophysical event.
Theoretically, a nearby supernova explosion could generate gravitational waves that might be detectable by current or future gravitational wave detectors. These waves would carry information about the physics of the supernova explosion itself, as well as provide a test of Einstein's theory of general relativity in extreme conditions.
Astrophysicists are keenly interested in the possibility of observing gravitational waves from a supernova. Detecting and analyzing such signals would allow scientists to probe the dynamics of the explosion, investigate the formation of compact objects like neutron stars or black holes, and gain further insights into the behavior of matter and gravity in extreme environments.
However, it's important to note that the occurrence of a nearby supernova suitable for confirming Einstein's theory through gravitational wave observations is a rare event. Supernovae are relatively infrequent, and the required proximity to Earth further reduces the chances of a direct confirmation. Astrophysicists continue to monitor the skies and develop advanced gravitational wave detectors to increase the chances of detecting gravitational waves from a supernova or other cosmic events.