MPI for Gravitational PhysicsTesting Einstein’s theory of relativity with the clearest gravitational-wave signal yet
📄 https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/6c61-fm1n (Open Access)
1️⃣ Relativity put to the test: A LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA team has conducted some of the most precise tests of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
2️⃣ Einstein holds fast: In all tests, the observations match the theory’s predictions. In some cases, the tests based on this signal alone are two to three times more stringent than those obtained by combining data from dozens of other signals.
3️⃣ The clearest signal: The team used data from GW250114, the strongest gravitational-wave signal ever detected from the merger of two black holes.
4️⃣ Like a bell: For the first time, detailed analyses of the complete signal and the ringdown phase, which occurs shortly after the merger, have identified or constrained three gravitational-wave tones.
Image: H. Pfeiffer, A. Buonanno (@mpi_grav), K. Mitman (Cornell University)
Scientific Frontline
Karl Voit 
John Carlos Baez
