Home Research Fields Cosmophysics and Gravitational Universe

Cosmophysics and Gravitational Universe

Cosmophysics:Cosmophysics is a new multi-disciplinary field and it therefore resists at first sight any clear and simple definition. Nevertheless, one can attempt doing so by listing some of the topical research themes that can definitely be associated with it. This cannot be exhaustive unless one generates a long shopping list. The practical definition which we shall use in our selection of topics, consists in focusing on astrophysics or space science domains which experience a big influx of particle physicists. 

Gravitational Universe:Gravitational waves are 'ripples' in space-time caused by some of the most violent and energetic processes in the Universe. Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves in 1916 in his general theory of relativity. Einstein's mathematics showed that massive accelerating objects (such as neutron stars or black holes orbiting each other) would disrupt space-time in such a way that 'waves' of undulating space-time would propagate in all directions away from the source. These cosmic ripples would travel at the speed of light, carrying with them information about their origins, as well as clues to the nature of gravity itself.

More than a billion years ago, two gigantic black holes collided in a distant part of the Universe. Each black hole contained approximately 30 solar masses. At the moment of collision they rocked the very fabric of the Universe, setting it quivering.

 Those disturbances began travelling through space like ripples across the surface of a pond. After 1.3 billion years, they happened to pass through the Earth on 14 September 2015. This was the first time to detect the Gravitational waves in human history.

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