Gravitational Waves

How Einstein's spacetime ripples reveal the secrets of the universe

By Brian Clegg

On 14 September 2015, after 50 years of searching, gravitational waves were detected for the first time and astronomy changed for ever. Until then, investigation of the universe had depended on electromagnetic radiation: visible light, radio, X-rays and the rest. But gravitational waves - ripples in the fabric of space and time - are unrelenting, passing through barriers that stop light dead.

In Gravitational Waves, Brian Clegg excellently covers so many aspects of the science here from defining a wave, talking through relativity and gravity, explaining confidence intervals to just the right level of detail needed. He goes on to explain the story of the two 4-kilometre long LIGO observatories in the US, where scientists developed incredibly sensitive detectors, capable of spotting a movement 100 times smaller than the nucleus of an atom. In 2015 they spotted the ripples produced by two black holes spiralling into each other, setting spacetime quivering. This was the first-time black holes had ever been directly detected - and it promises far more for the future of astronomy.

This book is a companion title to Origins of the Universe from the Hot Science series which also explains in an accessible way CMB radiation and what it can tell us of the origins of time and space. Gravitational Waves moves your thinking on and provides a picture of how all the fundamental parts fit together - the remarkable history and struggles that make up this incredible human feat all in a way that helps you understand why this is such an important discovery.

Gravitational Waves is a compelling story of human technical endeavour and a new, powerful path to understand the workings of the universe and is a great read too.

Please note: This book was incorrectly priced in the April 2024 RadCom advert, we are sorry for this error.

Size 128x196mm, 176 pages, ISBN: 9781785786426