RE: Brace yourselves for gravitational waves
February 11, 2016 at 5:59 pm
(This post was last modified: February 11, 2016 at 6:12 pm by Alex K.)
I would say that this is a very striking confirmation of the existence of black holes because the signal exactly matches the computer simulation of two black holes merging. I don't think there is anything in nature which can fake this. This also constitutes a test of the Einstein field equations in a regime where they are highly nonlinear, something not easily obtained by other means. So without having read technical literature about it yet, I'd say it is an important confirmation that the field equations are accurate even in extreme conditions, and since big bang calculations are based on them, this should provide independent confirmation that those are ok. Gravitational waves were created in the big bang and observing those would be a big deal (maybe you remember the BICEP2 fiasco a coupla years ago where they claimed it, but it was wrong...) and having confirmation that they exist might reinvigorate the searches for their traces e.g. in the cosmic microwave background.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
