We Just Discovered the Sounds of Spacetime. Let's Keep Listening
Initially, scientists expected LIGO might detect just a few of these collisions. But now, nearing the first detection's 10th anniversary, we have already observed more than 300 gravitational-wave events, uncovering entirely unexpected populations of black holes. Just lately, on July 14, LIGO scientists announced the discovery of the most massive merger of two black holes ever seen.
Gravitational-wave astronomy has become a global enterprise. Spearheaded by LIGO's two cutting-edge detectors in the U.S. and strengthened through collaboration with detectors in Italy (Virgo) and Japan (KAGRA), the field has become one of the most data-rich and exciting frontiers in astrophysics. It tests fundamental aspects of general relativity, measures the expansion of the universe and challenges our models of how stars live and die.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
LIGO has also spurred the design and development of technologies beyond astronomy. For example advances in quantum technologies, which reduce the noise and thereby improve LIGO's detector sensitivity, have promising applications to both microelectronics and quantum computing.
Given all this, it comes as no surprise that the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to LIGO's founders in 2017.
Yet despite this extraordinary success story, the field now faces an existential threat. The Trump administration has proposed slashing the total National Science Foundation (NSF) budget by more than half: a move so severe that one of the two LIGO detectors would be forced to shut down. Constructing and upgrading the two LIGO detectors required a public investment of approximately $1.4 billion as of 2022, so abandoning half this project now would constitute a gigantic waste. A U.S. Senate committee in mid-July pushed back against hobbling LIGO, but Congress has lately folded against administration budget cut demands, leaving it still on the table.
The proposed $19 million cut to the LIGO operations budget (a reduction from 2024 of some 40 percent) would be an act of stunning shortsightedness. With only one LIGO detector running, we will detect just 10 to 20 percent of the events we would have seen with both detectors operating. As a result, the U.S. will rapidly lose its leadership position in one of the most groundbreaking areas of modern science. Gravitational-wave astronomy, apart from being a technical success, is a fundamental shift in how we observe the universe. Walking away now would be like inventing the microscope, then tossing it aside before we had a good chance to look through the lens.
Here's why losing one detector has such a devastating impact: The number of gravitational-wave events we expect to detect depends on how far our detectors can 'see.' Currently, they can spot a binary black hole merger (like the one detected in 2015) out to a distance of seven billion light-years! With just one of the two LIGO detectors operating, the volume we can probe is reduced to just 35 percent of its original size, slashing the expected detection rate by the same fraction.
Moreover, distinguishing real gravitational-wave signals from noise is extremely challenging. Only when the same signal is observed in multiple detectors can we confidently identify it as a true gravitational-wave event, rather than, say, the vibrations of a passing truck. As a result, with just one detector operating, we can confirm only the most vanilla, unambiguous signals. This means we will miss extraordinary events like the one announced in mid-July.
Accounting for both the reduced detection volume and the fact that we can only confirm the vanilla events, we get to the dreaded 10 to 20 percent of the expected gravitational wave detections.
Lastly, we will also lose the ability to follow up on gravitational-wave events with traditional telescopes. Multiple detectors are necessary to triangulate an event's position in the sky. This triangulation was essential for the follow-up of the first detection of a binary neutron star merger. By pinpointing the merger's location in the sky, telescopes around the world could be called into action to capture an image of the explosion that accompanied the gravitational waves. This led to a cascade of new discoveries, including the realization in 2017 that such mergers comprise one of the main sources of gold in the universe.
Beyond LIGO, the proposed budget also terminates U.S. support for the European-led space-based gravitational-wave mission LISA and all but guarantees the cancellation of the next-generation gravitational wave detector Cosmic Explorer. The U.S. is thus poised to lose its global leadership position. As Europe and China move forward with ambitious projects like the Einstein Telescope, LISA and TianQin, this could result not only in missing the next wave of breakthroughs but also in a significant brain drain.
We cannot predict what discoveries still lie ahead. After all, when Heinrich Hertz first confirmed the existence of radio waves in 1887, no one could have imagined they would one day carry the Internet signal you used to load this article. This underscores a vital point: while cuts to science may appear to have only minor effects in the short term, systematic defunding of the fundamental sciences undermines the foundation of innovation and discovery that has long driven progress in the modern world and fueled our economies.
The detection of gravitational waves is a breakthrough on par with the first detections of x-rays or radio waves, but even more profound. Unlike those forms of light, which are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, gravitational waves arise from an entirely different force of nature. In a way, we have unlocked a new sense for observing the cosmos. It is as if before, we could only see the universe. With gravitational waves, we can hear all the sounds that come with it.
Choosing to stop listening now would be foolish.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fast Company
an hour ago
- Fast Company
Trump's budget cuts may hand Spain a scientific prize worth billions
BY As the U.S. backs away from key climate, aid, and scientific investments, Europe is stepping in to pick up the slack. Europe's latest intervention? Saving a plan to build one of the world's largest, cutting-edge telescopes. This week, the Spanish government offered to pay $470 million to take over one of the most ambitious astronomy projects in history, known as the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). In the deal, Spain would also provide the unconstructed mega-telescope a home atop a rugged peak on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. After massive proposed cuts to the National Science Foundation's $9 billion budget, the project faced a financing shortfall that likely spelled its doom. Trump's cuts, detailed in late May, slash the foundation's budget by more than half, jettisoning funding for the TMT while keeping another $3 billion telescope project, the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) – under construction now in Chile – alive. 'Faced with the risk of this major international scientific project being halted, the Government of Spain has decided to act with renewed commitment to science and major scientific infrastructures for the benefit of global knowledge,' Spain's Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities Diana Morant said. When constructed, the telescope will be a modern scientific marvel. Named the Thirty Meter Telescope for the size of its mirror, the project was designed to take on some of astronomy's most compelling questions, searching the deep skies for signs of extraterrestrial life, evidence of the universe's origins and clues about the nature of dark matter. Compared to images from the James Webb Space Telescope, a triumph of engineering itself, the TMT will produce images four times sharper. A controversial telescope Pondering the universe's biggest mysteries is a shared human experience, but the TMT's journey to investigate them has proven surprisingly divisive. The plan to build a mega-telescope with a mirror as big as a blue whale began in 2003. The project evolved over time into a consortium of scientists from around the globe, an organization now known as the TMT International Observatory (TIO). The group determined that the ideal site for the massive lens was the summit of Hawaii's highest peak, Mauna Kea. While Mauna Kea's high, dry summit attracts astronomy projects and already hosts thirteen other telescopes, the peak's history as a sacred place in Hawaiian culture prompted a public outcry from residents and conservationists who wanted the TMT built elsewhere. The mountain is known as the home of the god Wakea and plays a central role in native Hawaiian creation stories, a status that inspired a resistance movement against plans to further develop the area. It's not the project's first pick, but Spain's offer to host the project is a natural fit. The Spanish island of La Palma was already the telescope's backup plan, and like Mauna Kea it offers a remote, high perch with consistently clear skies and infrastructure already in place from other international observatories. 'In 2019, the Government of Spain already expressed its willingness for the TMT to be built on this island, and now, six years later, it is taking a decisive step with a strategic investment that will benefit the European Union, Spain, the Canary Islands, and especially La Palma,' Spain's Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities said. Trump-era cuts to science funding weren't the first time that the U.S. budget imperiled at least one of the two major next-generation telescopes in the works. With the GMT still on track, its counterpart might have a brighter future under an eager government across the ocean. 'While some countries are cutting science investments and even denying it, Spain is a refuge for science,' Morant said. The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is tonight, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Taylor Hatmaker is a writer and photographer based on the West Coast. She was previously a Senior Editor at TechCrunch, where she specialized in social media, gaming and online culture. More
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
The Prototype: Bringing Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Back To The U.S.
In this week's edition of The Prototype, we look at a federal program to bring advanced semiconductor R&D to Florida, a quantum computing milestone for biotech, a new way to get forever chemicals out of the water supply and more. You can sign up to get The Prototype in your inbox here . Florida Semiconductor Engine T he tech sector drives the U.S. economy, which in turn is undergirded by the semiconductor chips that power servers, computers, phones and more. Even though these chips are mostly designed domestically, they're not made in America: Nearly 90% are imported. That's an issue that Tawny Olore wants to help fix. She's the CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine, one of 10 regional networks backed by a two-yer, $15 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Half of that money is going towards research and development, for which it has five major projects. These include developing improved hardware security, designing 6G chips for the next generation of mobile internet and a project to build cryogenic, superconducting chips for AI and other forms of advanced computing. The other half of the spend is geared towards workforce development programs to ensure that there are people with the skills needed for the jobs the Engine hopes to bring back to the U.S. For example, it helped to develop an Associate's Degree for semiconductor engineering at Valencia College. The program, which is enrolling its first students this Fall, will train students to work in cleanrooms and operate the delicate equipment used to make chips. 'That's really important and shouldn't be diminished by the research and development projects that are so cool,' Olore said. 'You've got to have people there to be able to fill those jobs.' Stay tuned. IBM ran its simulation of mRNA structures on its Heron quantum processor. IBM L ast month, IBM rolled out its framework for building a 'fault-tolerant' quantum computer–one that can solve practical problems with low rates of error caused by the physics of its operations–by 2029. One major part of that is understanding what business problems exist that quantum computing can play a role in solving, Jamie Garcia, director of algorithms and partnerships at the company, told me. One potential: drug development. IBM has been working with biotech company Moderna since 2023, finding new techniques to predict the structures of messenger RNA (mRNA), which is at the core of Moderna's Covid vaccine and a number of other therapies it's developing. Figuring out how to use mRNA, which helps tell your body which proteins to make, is a complicated process. There are countless ways to code mRNA to make the same protein. For the Covid vaccine, for example, there are about 10^623 different possibilities. But the code is not enough–the order in which that code is arranged also affects how the final mRNA molecule is physically structured, which affects things like how durable it is and how large or small a dose might be–that's crucial for what arrangement will work best as a drug. 'That is sort of a combinatorial optimization issue that blows up really big, really fast,' Garcia said. For conventional computers, it would take centuries to solve them with brute force–even using AI models–because the hardware has to consider each possibility one at a time. That forces programmers to use shortcuts by simplifying the math to rougher approximations. A quantum computer, by contrast, can tackle portions of the problem in parallel–which makes for ultimately better calculations. Using quantum algorithms based on ones IBM had previously developed for financial problems, the two companies were able to successfully predict the structure of an mRNA sequence that was about 60 nucleotides long, which is at the upper limit of what a conventional computer can do. While that's much smaller than the sequences used for drugs, Garcia said that IBM's quantum computer will be able to predict bigger and bigger structures as the company builds out its capabilities. 'We're really excited about these results,' she said. 'And I think we're just going to keep finding the next generation of algorithms to really start checking the box when it comes to RNA problems.' DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK: NEW MATERIAL CLEANS FOREVER CHEMICALS FROM WATER Researchers at the University of Utah have invented a new material that can clean Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water sources. PFOA belongs to the family of 'forever chemicals' that can contaminate soil and water without breaking down, and exposure to it can cause cancer. The new zirconium-based material not only attracts and absorbs PFOA, it also lights up when it does so, letting any engineers know that the forever chemical is present in a body of water. The cleaning material is also reusable–PFOA can be removed with conventional processes. This combination 'makes it a versatile and practical solution for water treatment and environmental monitoring,' lead author Rana Dalapati said in a statement. FINAL FRONTIER: SOUTH KOREA PLANS A MOON BASE In a public hearing earlier this week, South Korea's space agency laid out a roadmap for its exploration of space, The Korea Times reported. The agency is making its own plans to establish a permanent moon base by the year 2045. To help it get there, it will develop its own capabilities to launch and land humans on the lunar surface by 2040. WHAT ELSE I WROTE THIS WEEK In my other newsletter, InnovationRx, Amy Feldman and I looked at Sarepta's showdown with the FDA over its gene therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the FDA's new top drug regulator, a biotech company's strategy to fight cancer, a startup's therapy chatbot, and more. SCIENCE AND TECH TIDBITS Astronomers found an object in the outer solar system that seems to be moving in sync with Neptune. About 56 miles in diameter, it circles the Sun once for every ten times it takes the eighth planet. The orbits are in sync at this ratio despite being millions of miles apart, something that hasn't been seen before by scientists. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have discovered a way to repair DNA that's been damaged by environmental stress, which could one day lead to prevention of afflictions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Around 10 million people live with HTLV-1 infection, which can lead to inflammatory diseases or even forms of cancer, but it currently has no treatments or vaccines. However, new research with mice suggests that existing HIV drugs could help prevent both transmission and disease. Street noise is one of the most annoying parts of city life, but Swiss scientists may have a solution: they've invented a mineral foam that can dampen street noise and is easier to install, since it's about four times thinner than conventional sound absorbers. PRO SCIENCE TIP: GET YOUR 7,000 STEPS A DAY It's long been a common rule of thumb to aim for 10,000 steps a day for optimal health, which can be a challenge for those who are stuck at their desks for work all day. But a new study suggests that you can get the same benefit with nearly one-third fewer steps. In a review of 57 different studies conducted in over ten countries, the researchers' analysis found walking around 7,000 steps a day reduced the risk of dementia and type two diabetes, and had other benefits as well. Which is not to say that getting 10,000 steps a day is bad–but 7,000 seems to represent an inflection point: the benefits accumulate quickly up to that point. Beyond it, the health benefits are more modest. WHAT'S ENTERTAINING ME THIS WEEK This month marks the 100th anniversary of the 'Scopes Monkey Trial'—in which schoolteacher John T. Scopes was found guilty of violating a Tennessee law that prohibited teaching the theory of evolution. So I kicked back and watched Inherit the Wind , Stanley Kramer's adaptation of the play of the same name, which is a fictionalized version of the Scopes trial. It's an absolutely mesmerizing courtroom drama that's still painfully relevant today, featuring a thunderous performance by Spencer Tracy as defense attorney Henry Drummond. It's streaming on Amazon Prime right now. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes South Park's Creators Are Now Billionaires By Matt Craig Forbes How Jeffrey Epstein Got So Rich By Giacomo Tognini Forbes Chicago's Kumiko Named World's Best Bar At 2025 Spirited Awards By Michael Solomon
Business Insider
6 hours ago
- Business Insider
Senegal shoots for the moon with historic NASA agreement
Senegal has formally signed the US-led Artemis Accords, becoming the 56th member to the global framework outlining rules for peaceful space exploration. Senegal signed the US-led Artemis Accords on July 24, 2025, becoming the 56th member of this space exploration framework. The ceremony held at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., marked Senegal's commitment to science, technology, and space diplomacy. Key figures, including Senegal's ambassador and the Director-General of the Senegalese Space Agency, participated in the event. The signing ceremony took place on July 24, 2025, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., marking a watershed moment for the West African country as it strengthens its commitment to science, technology, and space diplomacy. The signing event at the U.S's capital brought together important figures from Senegal and NASA, including Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Senegal's ambassador to the United States; Jonathan Pratt, Senior Bureau Official in the Department of State Bureau of African Affairs; Maram Kairé, Director-General of the Senegalese Space Agency (ASES); and Brian Hughes, NASA Chief of Staff. Following a meeting between President Faye and President Trump, Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy stated the signing of the Artemis Accords demonstrated the close ties between the two countries. President Trump met with Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and other African leaders in Washington two weeks prior to the signing ceremony of the Artemis Accords, which focused on the U.S.-Africa cooperation, as seen on SpaceAfrica. 'Senegal's adherence to the Artemis Accords reflects our commitment to a multilateral, responsible, and transparent approach to space,' Maram Kairé, Director-General of the Senegalese Space Agency (ASES). What the Artemis Accords means for Senegal This signature marks a meaningful step in our space diplomacy and in our ambition to contribute to the peaceful exploration of outer space,' she added. Senegal's signing represents a growing trend of African countries participating in space governance and asserting their presence in the next frontier of human development, outer space. Along with aligning with international standards for space activities, such as the utilization of space resources, deconfliction of operations, and the preservation of lunar heritage sites, this move also signifies Senegal's intention to build its own space capabilities. Remarkably, China's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) program has connections with Senegal as well. Senegal's decision to join both the ILRS and Artemis Accords shows diplomatic balance and a willingness to engage in many international frameworks, which is uncommon but becoming more common among new space operators. Senegal becomes the fourth African country to sign the Accords, after Nigeria, Rwanda, and Angola. This trend reflects Africa's rising engagement in determining global space policy, as well as the continent's growing desire to use space technology for development purposes ranging from climate monitoring and agriculture to connectivity and national security. The NASA Artemis Accords Given that several countries and private businesses are carrying out missions and activities near the Moon, the Artemis Accords offer a shared set of guidelines to improve the administration of space exploration and utilization for civil purposes. Basically, the accords are intended to foster cooperation and transparency among countries involved in lunar and deep space missions, particularly those aligned with the Artemis program's overarching goals of returning humans to the Moon and eventually reaching Mars. Signatory countries' adherence to the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, and best practices and standards of responsible conduct for the exploration and use of civil space is strengthened by the Artemis Accords.
