1. Gravitational waves are detected
Two neutron stars orbit each other 30 times per second, distorting space and time
Only about 12 miles across, each star is more massive than the sun
2. 100 seconds later
Now orbiting at 2,000 times per second and on the brink of colliding, the stars are being distorted by intense gravity
3. Two seconds later
After the briefest pause, where Ligo could detect nothing, the stars violently merge, emitting a burst of gamma rays
4. Afterglow
Scientists spot a new light in the sky, the afterglow of the collision, which they are able to identify as the source of the gravitational waves and gamma ray burst
The neutron stars probably collapsed into a black hole
Spectrometers detect heavy elements such as silver and gold
1. Gravitational waves are detected
2. 100 seconds later
Now orbiting at 2,000 times per second and on the brink of colliding, the stars are being distorted by intense gravity
Two neutron stars orbit each other 30 times per second, distorting space and time
Only about 12 miles across, each star is more massive than the sun
3. Two seconds later
4. Afterglow
After the briefest pause, where Ligo could detect nothing, the stars violently merge, emitting a burst of gamma rays
Scientists spot a new light in the sky, the afterglow of the collision, which they are able to identify as the source of the gravitational waves and gamma ray burst
The neutron stars probably collapsed into a black hole
Spectrometers detect heavy elements such as silver and gold