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Explore the revolutionary field of gravitational-wave astrophysics in this 57-minute public lecture that reveals how scientists are now "listening" to black holes across the universe. Learn about the fundamental nature of gravitational waves, the incredibly sensitive instruments called gravitational-wave observatories that detect them, and how these cosmic ripples are produced when two black holes collide and merge. Discover what the hundreds of black holes detected to date are teaching researchers about these extreme objects, their progenitor stars, and the expansion history of the cosmos. Gain insight into how this emerging field has transformed our understanding of the universe since the first direct detection of gravitational waves in September 2015, and understand the cutting-edge research methods used to extract astrophysical information from these cosmic signals. The presentation covers the physics behind gravitational-wave detection, the significance of black hole mergers as cosmic laboratories, and how these observations are opening new windows into fundamental questions about stellar evolution and cosmology.
