Gallery
Why is Science Important?
Why is Science Important?
CIERA Associate Director and Northwestern LIGO group member Shane Larson says that inspiration and collaboration, two huge parts of scientific discoveries, can help us solve society’s problems.
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education
When Stars Collide: A Neutron Star Death Spiral
When Stars Collide: A Neutron Star Death Spiral
An international research collaboration, including four Northwestern University astronomers, is the first to detect the spectacular collision of two neutron stars in a nearby galaxy using both gravitational waves and light.
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Science,
- Achievement,
- Education
What is LIGO?
What is LIGO?
CIERA Director and Northwestern LIGO group lead Vicky Kalogera talks about the different types of waves astronomers have used throughout history to study the Universe. Now, we are in the age of “multi-messenger” astronomy. This means that different types of waves from the same cosmic event can be studied.
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Outreach,
- Science,
- Education
What do two neutron stars produce when they collide?
What are Short Gamma Ray Bursts?
What are Short Gamma Ray Bursts?
CIERA Director Vicky Kalogera and Associate Director Shane Larson talk about the history of gamma ray bursts, and the theory that short gamma ray bursts are caused by collisions of neutron starts. Now, that puzzle is solved!
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education
What are Gravitational Waves?
What are Gravitational Waves?
Northwestern University astronomers talk about gravitational waves — what they are, how to understand them, and why they are important to studying the Universe.
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education
The Signal
The Signal
CIERA Associate Director and Northwestern LIGO group member Shane Larson describes how different the 2017 Neutron Star Merger (GW170817) signal is from previous signals.
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education
The Mass Gap Mystery
The Mass Gap Mystery
CIERA Associate Director and Northwestern LIGO group member Shane Larson describes how the masses of objects in our Universe is very important to astronomers’ understanding of events like GW170817.
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education
The Application of Basic Science
The Application of Basic Science
CIERA Director and Northwestern LIGO group lead Vicky Kalogera talks about how basic science is discovered and used in society.
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Education,
- Science
Science Lecture from Peering into the Cosmic Maelstrom
Science Lecture from Peering into the Cosmic Maelstrom
Following the October 16, 2017 announcement of the first-ever observation of a binary neutron star inspiral and merger, Northwestern’s astronomy research center, CIERA, held a discussion with the Northwestern scientists behind the discovery. View the lecture by Shane Larson to understand the science behind this amazing astronomical event!
CIERA / Northwestern
- Outreach,
- Science,
- Education,
- Event
Peering into the Cosmic Maelstrom
Peering into the Cosmic Maelstrom
Following the October 16, 2017 announcement of the first-ever observation of a binary neutron star inspiral and merger, Northwestern’s astronomy research center, CIERA, held a discussion with the Northwestern scientists behind the discovery. View the recording of this event in full, and join Professors Vicky Kalogera, Shane Larson, Raffaella Margutti and Wen-fai Fong as they
CIERA / Northwestern
- Science,
- Outreach,
- Event,
- Education
Panel Discussion from Peering into the Cosmic Maelstrom
Panel Discussion from Peering into the Cosmic Maelstrom
Following the October 16, 2017 announcement of the first-ever observation of a binary neutron star inspiral and merger, Northwestern’s astronomy research center, CIERA, held a discussion with the Northwestern scientists behind the discovery. View the panel discussion with Professors Vicky Kalogera, Raffaella Margutti, and Wen-fai Fong. Panel moderated by Adler Planetarium President & CEO, Michelle
CIERA / Northwestern
- Science,
- Event,
- Education,
- Outreach
Optical Telescope Follow-Up
Optical Telescope Follow-Up
After the spectacular collision of two neutron stars, which produced gravitational waves that were detected here on Earth, astronomers at Northwestern University describe how telescopes around the world looked for light.
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education
Masses in the Stellar Graveyard
Masses in the Stellar Graveyard
Masses in the Stellar Graveyard
Supported Browsers: Windows: Google Chrome Mac: Google Chrome or Safari
Visualization: LIGO -Virgo / Frank Elavsky, Aaron Geller / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education
Final Flight of a Neutron Star Pair: GW170817 from Birth to Merger in Galaxy NGC 4993
Final Flight of a Neutron Star Pair: GW170817 from Birth to Merger in Galaxy NGC 4993
This video illustrates the collision of two neutron stars (GW170817).
LIGO-Virgo / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education
Final Flight of a Neutron Star Pair
Final Flight of a Neutron Star Pair
This interactive allows you to investigate possible past lives of the two neutron stars that merged in an event called GW170817 in the galaxy NGC 4993. The pair of stars—a neutron star and a normal star—orbit quietly, until the normal star undergoes a supernova, spawning a second neutron star and “kicking” the system into an elliptical orbit.
LIGO-Virgo / Aaron Geller / Northwestern
- Science,
- Education