Scientists recently announced a huge discovery—gravitational waves. The waves were detected when a collision of two black holes created ripples or waves, similar to ripples on a pond. These ripples were predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago as a part of his theory of relativity. Scientists have been working to detect these waves for decades and are excited about the information that can be learned from them. In this story you will hear what gravitational waves sound like and learn more about their discovery.
Story Length: 3:25
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AIR DATE: 02/11/2016
December 29, 2015
7:19
Most of the world is interpreted by what we see, but there is a culture of listening that is helping biologists listen and understand how animals communicate. Knowing what to listen for and training themselves to hear patterns are ways scientists use sounds to make discoveries. Listen to hear more about how sound helps reveal the invisible in the world.
Read MoreJune 24, 2015
3:12
When we look out into the world we see empty space, the air, and solid objects, like a chair. Astrophysics professor Adam Frank says our perception of solid matter isn’t consistent with science and what we know about how atoms actually work. Throw away your image of tightly fitting marbles and open your mind to empty space and whizzing electrons in this science exploration.
Read MoreApril 10, 2015
7:07
Individuals who make extraordinary contributions to science often begin as regular people with a passion. This was certainly the case for Alan Guth, the physicist responsible for our understanding of how the universe formed after the Big Bang. Guth’s love for physics was sparked in high school and continues to drive his work today as a professor at MIT. Listen to learn more about his journey from a small town in New Jersey to physics textbooks around the world.
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