-
-
- To simulate Blackholes merging, or Neutron Stars colliding, we need the extreme physics using The Theory of Relativity. Solving General Relativity equations at lightning speeds used in these simulations requires the biggest super computers.
-
- The math problems become relevant today because astronomers are building Gravitational Wave Detectors designed to study these Blackhole mergers. To design the detectors astronomers need the simulations to tell the designers what to look for.
-
- The observatory in Hanford, Oregon, designed to do the job is LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory. A second observatory is built in Livingston, Louisiana. So, any observation on one can be confirmed by the other independent source.
-
- The laser interferometers hope to detect ripples in space-time predicted in Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. Oscillating, or orbiting, mass creates gravity waves. But, enormous mass is needed to create waves powerful enough to be detected in the instruments we can build today. Merging Blackholes should be just the ticket to produce these powerful gravity waves.
-
- Orbiting Blackholes release energy in the form of gravity waves rippling and spiraling outward. This energy loss removes angular momentum from the system and the Blackholes slowly spiral inward becoming closer together until they merge into a single Blackhole.
-
- Simulations can use Newton’s equations for gravitational attraction and angular momentum when the orbits are large. With ever tightening orbits the math requires full-blown General Relativity equations. The goal is to accurately reproduce the details of the merger, a gravity wave signature, so LIGO knows what to look for and can recognize it when it finds it.
-
- The simulations require solving 10 interwoven equations simultaneously to get a 4-dimensional picture of space-time out of the super computer. The difficulty of translating Relativity equations into computer code was a horrendous task.
-
- The efforts have produced results. Simulations show Blackholes recoiling after mergers with blasts of energy jetting out at 625 miles per second, ( 2,250,000 miles per hour).
-
- LIGO is geared to detect faint ripples of passing gravity waves resulting from these distant cataclysms.
-
- In the 1990’s it became clear to astronomers that Blackholes not only exist, but, are in fact plentiful. In a Blackhole the escape velocity exceeds 186,000 miles per second. Nothing , not even light, can exceed that speed. Blackholes are detected by their gravity and its effect on nearby stars, gas, and dust.
-
- Blackholes are the remnants of exploding giant supernovae. If a Blackhole’s gravity is shredding material from a binary star it unleashes X-ray energy. These are called “ Stellar Blackholes”
-
- Even larger Blackholes are at the centers of galaxies containing millions to billions Solar Mass. It is possible the “ seed” Blackholes predated the formation of galaxies. Astronomers are not sure which came first blackholes or galaxies?
-
- X-ray and Gamma Ray emissions give astronomers evidence that Blackholes are abundant in the Cosmos. Sky Surveys have catalogued over 13,000 Quasars and estimates are that the total is over 100,000. Quasars are the Blackholes at the center of distant galaxies. As Quasars age the Blackholes have less to feed on and they eventually become slumbering gravity pits at the center of older galaxies, like our own Milky Way. The center of our galaxy harbors a 4,000,000 Solar Mass Blackhole.
-
- A collision of the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies will awaken two massive Blackholes and the fireworks will begin again. This event is not expected for another 5 billion years. Stay tuned , you never know what we will learn next?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Other Reviews available on this topic:
-
- #1419, #1404, #1199 on Gravitational lens
-
- #1307 The Gravity of the Details. What are the causes of small errors in our calculations using the equations for gravity? , #974 Gravity - What is it Really?
-
- #816 - Why Gravity is so small. If the Electromagnetic Force is 1.00, then gravity force is 10^-36. That is 0.000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,001
-
- #1536 - Gravity Probe B - Earth’s angular momentum circling the Sun is 10,000,000 times greater that the angular momentum of Earth’s spinning in its axis.
-
- #1399 Earth’s gravity warps space-time
-
- #1155 - What are Gravity Waves? , #1728 Measuring the Universe using Gravity Waves. - #917 - Gravity Waves - mass in motion creates them. Gravity waves are a geometric effect that travels at the speed of light. Gravity waves are carrying away energy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------- RSVP, Pass it on to whomever is interested. ----------------
--- Some reviews are at: -------------- http://jdetrick.blogspot.com -----
-- email comments, corrections, request for copies or Index of all reviews
- to: ------- jamesdetrick@comcast.net ------ “Jim Detrick” -----------
- https://plus.google.com/u/0/ -- www.facebook.com -- www.twitter.com
----- 707-536-3272 ---------------------- Friday, May 15, 2015 -----
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment