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What Methods Have Scientists Used to Confirm the LIGO Discovery of Gravity Waves?

-- | February 24, 2016

Question: Information says that the gravitational waves, recently detected by LIGO, correspond (according to Einstein theory equations) to the effect of two black holes merging (with the masses of both black holes being estimated).
So the fact of two celestial mass black holes merge – is it established scientific astronomical (cosmological) fact or just a best possible implied assumption (indirect conclusion, based on inference from the General Relativity mathematical model)? — Alex

Answer: My answer echos closely the answer to your question given on Physics Stack Exchange, which noted that the gravitational wave detection results from the LIGO interferometer conform to standard scientific practices regarding any reasonable burden of proof. LIGO detected the merger of two black holes with its two detectors, both of which produced a gravity wave signal that corresponds very closely to that which one would predict from a theoretical prediction of what the signal from two merging black holes would look like. The LIGO collaboration has held their discovery to a very high standard of proof, giving a great deal of confidence in the veracity of their results.

Jeff Mangum

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