Gravitational waves, in layman's terms, are ripples or waves in the fabric of space and time caused by the movement of massive objects. Just as throwing a stone into a pond creates ripples that spread across the water's surface, the motion of massive objects, like two merging black holes or a supernova explosion, can create ripples in the fabric of the universe itself.
According to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, massive objects, such as stars or black holes, create a gravitational field that curves the surrounding space and time. When these objects move or experience strong gravitational forces, they can cause disturbances in the fabric of space-time, which propagate outward as gravitational waves.
Gravitational waves carry energy, similar to how light carries energy in the form of photons. However, unlike light, gravitational waves are not made up of particles but rather are disturbances in the very fabric of the universe. They can travel through space, unaffected by other matter or electromagnetic forces.
Detecting gravitational waves provides scientists with a new way to study the universe and its most violent and energetic events. Gravitational wave detectors, such as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), use precise measurements to detect the minuscule stretching and squeezing of space caused by passing gravitational waves. By analyzing these waves, scientists can gain insights into phenomena like black hole mergers, neutron star collisions, and the early moments of the universe shortly after the Big Bang.
Gravitational waves open up a new window to observe and understand the cosmos, allowing us to explore the universe in a different way than traditional telescopes and instruments. Their discovery has provided strong evidence for Einstein's theory of general relativity and has revolutionized our understanding of the nature of space, time, and gravity.