Niels Bohr Lecture by Nergis Mavalvala, Dean of the MIT School of Science

Gravitational waves: a new window to the Universe

Abstract: The first ever detection of gravitational waves from colliding black holes and neutron stars in 2015 – and the dozens of astrophysical events observed since then – have launched a new era of gravitational-wave astrophysics.

I will describe the science, technology, and human story behind these discoveries that provide a completely new window into some of the most violent and warped events in the Universe.

About the speaker

Nergis Mavalvala PhD ’97 is the Dean of the MIT School of Science and the Curtis and Kathleen Marble Professor of Astrophysics.

• Her research focuses on the detection of gravitational waves from violent events in the cosmos that warp and ripple the fabric of space-time.
• She is part of the team that in early 2016 announced the first direct detection of gravitational waves from colliding black holes using the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors, ushering in a new era in astrophysics.
• Mavalvala has also conducted experiments in the optical trapping and cooling of mirrors to enable observation of quantum phenomena in macroscopic objects.
• She is the recipient of a 2010 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

Mavalvala earned a BA in physics and astronomy from Wellesley College and a PhD in physics from MIT.

Coffee, tea and cake will be served outside Aud. 3 at 15:45