The general theory of relativity is a new theory of space, time and gravity. According to this theory, space ripples. The mere presence of mass curves space, and when masses accelerate, they cause ripples in space.

So much for theory. In practice, no one has ever ‘seen’ a gravitational wave, i.e. although several large detectors have been built, no wave has ever been measured.

During a visit to the GEO 600 detector in Sarstedt near Hanover, we learned more about this topic: Here is my report from November 2012 in Spektrum-SciLog.

In the first video interview by Radio Hildesheim, we learn about the measurement strategy and how measurement errors are to be ruled out.

The general theory of relativity is a new theory of space, time and gravity. According to this theory, space ripples. The mere presence of mass curves space, and when masses accelerate, they cause ripples in space.
The second video interview addresses questions about the software and, more generally, about how the work of experimental physicists in Hanover is integrated into the work of astronomers elsewhere.