Makaita Maponga
Class of 2026Leesburg, Georgia
About
Projects
- "What are gravitational waves, what causes them and how do we use them?" with mentor Jodie (Working project)
Project Portfolio
What are gravitational waves, what causes them and how do we use them?
Started July 17, 2024
Abstract or project description
Gravitational waves were first theorized by Albert Einstein in 1916. They were a result of his general relativity theory. Almost a century later, scientists were able to develop technology to detect these waves. The first direct detection was by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory,(LIGO) in 2015. This paper will be an overall review of the history and future of gravitational waves and their applications to the field of astronomy. Firstly, it will start off with an introduction into General Relativity and the properties of Gravitational waves. Then it will go into detail about the different sources of Gravitational waves such as but not limited to Neutron stars and Binary systems. This will then be followed by the current and future detectors of gravitational waves, ending with the applications of gravitational waves.