Gravitational Waves Found By LIGO

In 2014, a big commotion was going on in the scientific community.  The American 'BICEP2' team claimed to have discovered ripples or gravitational waves.  European scientists were skeptical and tested the data.  They found that what the American's detected was lens interference and that of galaxies (see: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2014/03/inflation-lemaitre-was-correct.html).  Gravitational waves were predicted by Albert Einstein just 100 years ago.  The existence of these waves would provide further evidence that the universe did start at a 'big bang.'  Anyhow, after the disappointment from the 'BICEP2' team, Lawrence Krauss posted some tweets that caused a buzz. He claimed that the science institution 'LIGO' found evidence of gravitational ways.  He was immediately attacked by others, including his peers for making such a suggestion. However, it seems that he was correct.  'LIGO' did in fact announce that they will be revealing some information on gravitational ways tomorrow, February 11, 2016 at 10:30 AM EST.

I will keep you posted as I learn more information, stay tuned.  Here are the tweets Krauss was sending out:

2016 could bring two discoveries that would color fundamental physics in 21st century: New particles at LHC, and Gravitational waves at LIGO

— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) January 4, 2016

My earlier rumor about LIGO has been confirmed by independent sources. Stay tuned! Gravitational waves may have been discovered!! Exciting.

— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) January 11, 2016

@ProfMike_M last time I mentioned possibility what it did was produce articles about gravitational waves, which was what I hoped for.

— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) January 13, 2016

One thing I hoped for when spurring interest in LIGO a week ago.. a nice educational exposition just appeared @sciam https://t.co/G76EQHSK4B

— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) January 20, 2016

HAPPY that my tweet and resulting excitement likely not misplaced. LIGO WASH DC PRESS CONF., FEB 11! GRAV WAVES & NEW ERA IN ASTRONOMY?!!

— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) February 4, 2016

OK.. Science Mag., which earlier confirmed the Feb 11th date, now describes more details of possible GW discovery! https://t.co/I6PlErWEr3

— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) February 7, 2016

official announcement of Feb 11th LIGO Press conference on gravitational waves: https://t.co/jsxGa1lNKt

— Lawrence M. Krauss (@LKrauss1) February 8, 2016

Source:

http://www.ligo.org/news/media-advisory.php

http://news.discovery.com/space/more-gravitational-wave-rumors-colliding-black-holes-160208.htm

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2076754-latest-rumour-of-gravitational-waves-is-probably-true-this-time/

http://www.ligo.org/news/media-advisory.php

http://www.scientificamerican.com/

http://www.lsu.edu/science/news_events/cos-news-events/news-events-2015/LIGOWaveCatchers.php

Asteroid 2015 HDI Passing by Earth

Asteroid 2015 HDI is expected to pass by Earth today at 3:11 a.m.  There is no cause for alarm. The asteroid is not expected to hit us.  Asteroid 2015 HDI is about 50 feet wide and will pass by at 0.2 lunar distances or about 46,000 miles over us.

If it was on a collision course with Earth, then there will be no life ending catastrophe occurring.  The asteroid is too small and would lose its battle with Earth's atmosphere and gravity as it is pulled in.

The force around the asteroid will tear it apart into smaller meteorites that will just light up the sky. Asteroids like 2015 HDI pass by Earth all the time granted not as close.  While Earth's gravity is strong, it cannot compensate for the speed at with these asteroids travel.  Moreover, the outer planets Jupiter, Saturn etc actually protect the Earth by "hurling" these space rocks away from us.

Amateur astronomers can view astroid 2015 HDI with an 8 inch or bigger telescope as it passes by the constellations Hydra, Antlia and Puppis with a magnitude of +13.2.  Enjoy the cosmic wonders if the weather in your area permits it.  




Source:



http://www.universetoday.com/119938/close-encounter-of-the-asteroid-kind-2015-hd1-skims-by-earth-tonight/

http://astronomynow.com/2015/01/17/asteroid-to-fly-close-by-earth-safely-on-26thjanuary/