Conference: Probing the warped side of our Universe with gravitational waves and computer simulations | 16 September | Uni Dufour

Probing the warped side of our Universe with gravitational waves and computer simulations, by Kip Thorne, recipient of the Tomalla Prize for Gravity 2016.

"Probing the warped side of our Universe
with gravitational waves and computer simulations"
Uni Dufour - Auditorium U300
Friday, 16 September at 6 p.m.

Kip Thorne. (Photo: ©Jon Rou)

Abstract: A half century ago, John Wheeler challenged his students and colleagues to explore Geometrodynamics: the nonlinear dynamics of curved spacetime. How does the curvature of spacetime behave when roiled in a storm, like a storm at sea with crashing waves. We tried to explore this, and failed. Success eluded us until two new tools became available: computer simulations, and gravitational wave observations. Thorne will describe what these have begun to teach us, and he will offer a vision for the future of Geometrodynamics.