Sound of the Cosmos – India’s telescope game can get even better

Source: The post is based on the article “Sound Of The Cosmos – India’s telescope game can get even better” published in The Times of India on 1^st July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Science & Technology – Space Technologies

News: Einstein initially proposed the existence of gravitational waves in 1916 as an extension of his theory of general relativity. It was in 2015 that America’s LIGO detectors could observe and confirm these.

Recently, an international consortium reported the detection of a captivating “hum” sound of gravitational waves reverberating across the universe.

What are gravitational waves?

Gravitational waves can be understood as ripples in the fabric of space and time.

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How was the sound of gravitational waves discovered?

Scientists from seven Indian institutes along with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope near Pune played key roles in uncovering the new and first evidence for low-frequency gravitational waves permeating the cosmos.

Read More: India’s largest radio telescope plays vital role in detecting universe’s vibrations

What efforts have been taken by the government to study gravitational waves?

The Government of India has granted final approvals for LIGO-India, and land acquisition has taken place in Maharashtra for the project.

However, it is crucial to recognize that any such scientific project requires robust and sustained support for research and exploration. Hence, the government should also take these factors into consideration.

Must Read: What is LIGO-India, the Indian node in the global network of labs to probe the universe