We did this! With GWTC-5.0 we can now measure this parameter that describes how much the memory contributes to the gravitational wave signal (which should be 1 if the universe is exactly described by GR) to 0.26, -4.08 or +4.09. Only a few more thousand events to go!

keefemitman.bsky.social@keefemitman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

But who knows! Maybe if we rerun our analysis on the recently-released GWTC-5.0 we'll see more promise... Anyways, I've tried to keep this discussion short, but if you want to learn more or if you have any questions, check out the paper on arXiv or feel free to ask me here!

When you look up at the night sky, you're looking out on a vast universe that is constantly in motion and ever evolving: planets orbit, stars twinkle, and black holes collide. Moreover, thanks to @ligo.org, we know that the "spacetime fabric" also evolves as gravitational waves ripple through it!

What the first LIGO detection would look like up close

YouTube video by SXS Collaboration

youtube.com

Hello, world! As a first post, I thought I'd introduce myself; I'm a NASA Einstein Fellow @ Cornell studying gravitational waves as a part of @sxs-collaboration.bsky.social, @ligo.org, and @lisacommunity.bsky.social. I study many aspects of gravity, but my latest ambition has been testing GR!