You can now watch a new, 20-minute film that chronicles the people and strange science behind an amazing astronomical tool that uses lasers to search for violent cosmic events trillions of miles from Earth. The documentary "LIGO, A Passion for Understanding," by filmmaker Kai Staats, follows scientists using the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatories (LIGO) to hunt for gravitational waves — ripples in space-time created by cataclysmic events in the cosmos. You can watch the full film in the window above or directly through this link: LIGO, A Passion for Understanding
Latest Story: Documentary on LIGO's Search for Gravitational Waves Premieres Today: Watch It Live Online
A new documentary premiering today (April 15) brings the hunt for ripples in the fabric of space-time — called gravitational waves — into focus, and you can watch it live on Space.com.
Videos
LIGO, A Passion for Understanding | Indie Film Trailer
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory could be as significant an innovation as the telescope. This story of passionate creative researchers striving to understand the fabric of our Universe premieres Tuesday April 15 at Space.com.
How To See Spacetime Stretch - LIGO
When two stars collide or a massive star blows up the fabric of the universe warps and springs back, sending gravitational waves across the cosmos. The wave motion would be very tiny. But to watch it, scientists must build very large instruments.
Multimedia
- Hunting Gravitational Waves with Lasers: How Project LIGO Works (Infographic)
- Gravitational Waves: The LIGO Laser Interferometer Project in Photos
- How Gravitational Waves Work (Infographic)
- The Search for Gravitational Waves (Gallery)
- Big Bang Gravitational Waves Discovered | Video
- Minds Behind The Film
Complete coverage
Tuesday, April 15
"LIGO, A Passion for Understanding" Premiere
Visit Space.com Tuesday at 12 p.m. EDT (1600 GMT) to see the premiere of "LIGO, A Passion for Understanding" by filmmaker Kai Staats.
Monday, April 14
LIGO Lasers Could Help Reveal Aftermath of Black Hole Crashes
A powerful scientific tool set to come online in 2015 could help scientists spot gravitational waves: ripples in space-time born from violent cosmic crashes light-years from Earth.
Friday, April 11
Project LIGO: How Lasers Could Reveal Glimpses of Gravitational Waves
Scientists might catch sight of ripples in space-time produced by two massive objects colliding in violent crashes light-years from Earth, thanks to LIGO.
Tuesday, April 1
Mysteries of Gravitational Waves Star in New LIGO Documentary (Film Trailer)
A new movie premiering April 15 documents the science and people behind an amazing astronomical tool designed to catch sight of violent cosmic events trillions of miles from Earth.
Gravitational Wave Search Archive:
Major Discovery: 'Smoking Gun' for Universe's Incredible Big Bang Expansion Found
Freaky Physics: Why the Discovery of Gravitational Waves Should Blow Your Mind
How Space Tech Helped Scientists ID Gravitational Waves from Big Bang Inflation
Cosmic Inflation & Gravitational Waves: Complete Coverage of Major Discovery
Hunt Is On for Gravity Waves in Space-Time
The Hunt for Elusive Gravity Waves Heats Up
Scientists Now Expect to Find Gravitational Waves
Reference Desk:
- Gravitational Waves: The Big Bang's Smoking Gun
- Einstein's Theory of General Relativity
- The Expanding Universe: From the Big Bang to Today
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