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Gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects. They were first predicted by Albert Einstein in 1916 as a consequence of his theory of general relativity. These waves travel at the speed of light and carry information about the cataclysmic events that produce them, such as the collision of black holes or the explosion of supernovae.

The first direct detection of gravitational waves occurred on September 14, 2015, by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). The event, known as GW150914, was the result of the merger of two black holes, each about 30 times the mass of the Sun, located approximately 1.3 billion light-years away. This discovery marked the beginning of the era of gravitational wave astronomy.

Gravitational waves are detected using highly sensitive interferometers, such as LIGO and Virgo. These instruments measure the tiny distortions in spacetime caused by passing gravitational waves. The waves cause the length of the interferometer arms to change by a tiny fraction of the size of a proton, which is then amplified and measured.

Gravitational waves provide a new way to observe the universe, complementing traditional electromagnetic observations. They can reveal information about the most violent and energetic events in the cosmos, such as the merger of neutron stars and the birth of black holes. The study of gravitational waves has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe and its fundamental laws.