gs1medium
Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?
- A.‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected.
- B.‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.
- C.Possibility of intergalactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.
- D.It enabled scientists to understand ‘singularity’.
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: B. ‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.
The merger of massive celestial objects like black holes creates ripples in the fabric of spacetime. These ripples, known as gravitational waves, propagate outwards and can be detected by sensitive instruments on Earth. The first direct detection of gravitational waves, originating from the merger of two black holes, provided unprecedented evidence for Einstein's theory of general relativity and opened a new window into observing the universe.
Source: UPSC gs1 2019