In late 2015, the LIGO Observatories detected the collision and fusion of the two black holes, directly measuring for the first time the gravitational waves produced during the event. This discovery, which captured worldwide attention, was followed in August 2017 by an equally spectacular discovery: the first observation of the coalescence of two neutron stars, an event seen by both gravitational-wave and light-based astronomical observatories.

These discoveries have profound implications for our understanding of the Universe. Gravitational waves provide unique information about the most energetic astrophysical events, revealing insights into the nature of gravity, matter, space, and time unobtainable by any other means. In this talk, Dr. David Reitze will discuss how the LIGO Observatories detect gravitational waves and how gravitational-wave observatories promise to revolutionize astronomy in the coming years and decades.

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 7:00 pm EST



Location: National Academy of Sciences Building, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC, 20418

The talk is part of Space Science Week 2018—a three-day gathering of five subcommittees of the Space Studies Board, the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board, and the Board on Physics and Astronomy to discuss issues and advances in their fields. Inquiries may be directed to spaceweek@nas.edu.

Join the webcast here: https://livestream.com/accounts/7036396/events/8098619













Dr. David Reitze holds positions as the Executive Director of the LIGO Laboratory at Caltech and as a Professor of Physics at the University of Florida. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the Optical Society, and was jointly awarded the 2017 National Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific Discovery for his leadership role in LIGO and the first direct detections of gravitational waves. Before joining Caltech in 2011, he served as the elected Spokesperson of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration from 2007-2011.









TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING



Please be sure to bring photo ID, as you will need to show it to security in order to enter the building.

The closest Metro station is the Foggy Bottom-GWU metro stop, on the orange, silver, or blue line. Turn right when you exit the metro. Walk south down 23rd Street, NW for approximately 7 blocks. Turn left onto C Street, NW (after the State Department). Cross 22nd Street. The entrance is located at 2100 C Street.

For driving directions to the National Academy of Sciences building, visit the National Academies website. Limited parking is available in the visitors parking area of the building, accessible from the 21st St. side of the building. Parking is provided on a first-come basis, and overflow is directed to public parking garages. The public parking facilities closest to the NAS Building are Colonial Parking (20th Street, NW, between E and F Streets) and Columbia Plaza (23rd and Virginia Avenue, NW).







