Neutron star collision gravitational waves detected! GW170817 Explained

On 17th August 2017 the LIGO and VIRGO gravitational wave detectors received a signal from over 130 million light years away. This signal was different to every other signal that had been previously detected. The signal came from 2 neutron stars in a deathly cosmic dance. Find out the the details behind this incredible event and the new scientific discoveries that followed.

To find out more please visit www.ligo.org. Were you will find lots of interactive material and apps you can download.

Transcript:
On the 17th August 2017 a gravitational wave
signal was detected on Earth by the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave detectors. The signal came from two neutron stars, each the size of a city and between one to one and a half times
heavier than the sun, when they crashed into each other over 130 million light years away.

The signal lasted nearly 100 seconds, making it the longest, closest and most accurately located gravitational wave signal detected so far. But what makes this detection really special is that for the first time ever electromagnetic observations were made that coincided with
the signal.

Nearly two seconds after the neutron stars crashed into each other, a fireball of gamma rays was released, as the stars formed one ultradense object. Almost 11 hours later a kilonova occured, where material left over from the collision, that glows with light, was blasted into space.

From this detection 5 new discoveries were made: Gravitational waves travel at the speed of light, the expansion rate of the universe called the Hubble constant
was measured, information about the structure of a neutron star was unveiled, merging neutron stars are sources for short gamma ray bursts, and finally, my favourite - colliding neutron stars are the factories for the heavier elements, such as gold, in the universe.


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Credits:
Written, animated and produced by Emma Osborne
Ident by Brett Josef
Start up funding from 'I'm a scientist get me out of here'