In 2015, scientists discovered gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of spacetime from the violent collision of two black holes. These gravitational waves are now detected at a rate of once per week by kilometre-scale detectors, giving scientists a rare insight into black holes and the Universe. Next-generation detectors, may observe up to a million gravitational-wave signals per year from various known and unknown types of sources. What have we learned from gravitational waves so far, and what can we expect going forward?
This colloquium is part of the BIST Master of Multidisciplinary Research in Experimental Sciences curriculum but is also open and free for anyone interested in participating.