The background hum of gravitational waves is a new ruler for the universe
Scientists have detected a low-frequency background hum of gravitational waves that ripples through the fabric of spacetime, offering a revolutionary new way to measure the history and expansion of our universe.
A global team of astronomers recently confirmed the existence of a gravitational wave background that permeates all of space. Unlike the sharp chirps of colliding black holes, this constant, low-frequency vibration likely originates from pairs of supermassive black holes orbiting each other across the cosmos. This discovery acts as a new cosmic ruler, allowing researchers to study celestial objects that are otherwise invisible to traditional telescopes.
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