Research Highlights

UNM Alumnus Robert Ward

Gravitational Waves Detected

UNM Physics and Astronomy Alumnus Robert Ward (BS Physics and BA Theater, 2000) is a co-author for the first detection of gravitational waves announced to the public at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) on Thursday February 11.

This detection confirms Einstein's prediction, made 100 years ago, that gravitational waves exist. The detected gravitational waves were produced by the explosion resulting from two black holes merging into one, an event that had never before been observed.

Ward is currently a Research Fellow at the Australian National University.

See the news from the Australian National University: February 11, 2016 - Gravitational Waves Detected: Einstein Proven Right

or the March 15, 2016 UNM Newsroom article, UNM alumnus plays role in gravitational waves discovery