LIGO and Virgo observatories tagged posts

The upper and lower series of pictures each show a simulation of a neutron star merger. In the scenario shown in the upper panels the star collapses after the merger and forms a black hole, whereas the scenario displayed in the lower row leads to an at least temporarily stable star. Credit: Andreas Bauswein, HITS

Scientists have managed to narrow down the size of neutron stars with the aid of computer simulations. The calculations based on data from the LIGO and Virgo observatories suggest that the neutron star radius must be at least 10.7 km. When a very massive star dies, its core contracts. In a supernova explosion, the star’s outer layers are expelled, leaving behind an ultra-compact neutron star...

This is an aerial view of the Virgo site showing the Mode-Cleaner building, the Central building, the three kilometer-long west arm and the beginning of the north arm. The other buildings include offices, workshops, computer rooms and the control room of the interferometer. Credit: The Virgo collaboration/CCO 1.0

The first observation of gravitational waves has been discovered by by 3 different detectors, marking a new era of greater insights and improved localization of cosmic events now available through globally networked gravitational-wave observatories. In August, detectors on two continents recorded gravitational wave signals from a pair of black holes colliding...